Lagos Shuts Down Alaba Market

By Bliss Okperan

The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has announced the immediate closure of the popular spare parts market, Ladipo Market, over an “unhygienic environment.”

In a statement on Friday, the waste management agency said it shut down the market due to the unwholesome environmental practices by traders who refused to pay for waste services alongside the poor waste management.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources in Lagos, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said the market would remain closed until the mandatory conditions of redress have been met by traders and market stakeholders.

“It is imperative that markets in the state adhere strictly to environmental laws and regulations put in place for the wellbeing of residents.

“The decision to shut down those markets underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to the restoration of environmental sanity in the state,” the statement signed by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Ms Folashade Kadiri, quoted the Commissioner as saying.

Also commenting, the chief executive of LAWMA, Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the closure would give room for a thorough assessment of the environmental impact of the market activities and the implementation of necessary remedial measures.

This is not the first time the Lagos State government is shutting down the market over environmental issues. In 2021, the place was closed by the government and last year, the government threatened to take a similar action for the same reason.

Ladipo Market is located in the Mushin area of Lagos.