The Lagos State Government has sealed off the popular Idera Market in Oshodi.
This action was taken through the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, also known as LAGESC, or KAI.
The closure occurred on Thursday, following the market’s violation of environmental laws.
LAGESC Corps Marshal, Major Olaniyi Cole (retd), confirmed the development in a statement.
Cole explained that the decision to shut down the market was part of ongoing efforts to ensure cleanliness in all registered markets across Lagos State.
“Our operatives stationed across the Oshodi division, during routine monitoring, identified filth, unhygienic practices, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse around the Idera Market area,” Cole said.
These infractions, he added, led to the market’s closure until further notice.
He described the unhygienic conditions in the market as alarming and warned that such poor sanitary standards could cause widespread illness among traders and buyers.
“Markets must imbibe hygienic practices to prevent the spread of diseases,” Cole stressed.
Cole further revealed that the market leadership had failed to provide a valid waste collection contract.
This lack of a proper waste management system, according to him, was responsible for the piles of refuse that littered the market area.
KAI has been actively monitoring market conditions across Lagos, and the authorities have issued a stern warning to market operators in the state.
Cole warned that any market found violating hygiene standards would face immediate closure until they complied with sanitation regulations.
The Corps Marshal reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing the ban on the use of Styrofoam packs in the state.
He assured that any marketer involved in the sale, distribution, or usage of these banned materials would face severe consequences.
Additionally, Cole reminded the public that the display of goods on road setbacks, medians, lay-bys, verges, and kerbs, which amounts to street trading and hawking, remains prohibited in Lagos.
The decision to seal Idera Market has raised concerns among traders and market users.
Many are anxious about how long the closure will last and the potential financial implications.
While addressing these concerns, Cole made it clear that the market would only be reopened when authorities were satisfied with its level of cleanliness and compliance with environmental laws.
This incident highlights the growing focus on environmental hygiene in Lagos, as the state continues its battle against the spread of diseases through poor waste management.
Oshodi, known for its bustling commercial activities, is a key area in Lagos.