Ekiti State Government has announced the commencement of compulsory weekly sanitation every Thursdays in all markets across the state.
The State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, said this during a meeting with market leaders, including the Iyalojas and Iyalajes in Ado Ekiti.
Aluko-Ajisafe said the initiative is part of efforts of the state government to enhance cleanliness and environmental hygiene in markets across the state.
She said the exercise which is similar to what operates in Lagos State, would start on March 14, during which all market activities would be temporarily suspended between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00a.m.
The commissioner said this is to allow for a thorough cleaning of the market environment and maintenance of infrastructures in the markets.
The commissioner appreciated the stakeholders for their cooperation and emphasized the need for collective efforts to maintain a clean environment in all markets and all parts of the state.
She said Gov. Biodun Oyebanji had pledged continued government assistance to the initiatives.
Addressing specific concerns, the commissioner stressed the need to clear the littered medians around Mojere market and urged market leaders to ensure compliance with sanitation regulations.
Aluko-Ajisafe warned that offenders will be prosecuted and mandated various markets to nominate monitors from within the market communities who would provide credible information about environmental sanitation law violators to the Ministry’s Task Force.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Babatunde Alokan, acknowledged the market leaders’ support in previous sanitation exercises and underscored the importance of maintaining a clean environment to prevent the outbreak of diseases.
He warned against nonchalant attitudes, particularly in areas such as Okesa market.
The Director of Environmental Health and Sanitation, Mr Tunde Balogun, outlined government’s efforts to improve sanitation, including waste evacuation and hygiene programmes modeled after Lagos State.
He emphasized the need for collective responsibility and appealed for market leaders’ support in maintaining cleanliness.
The Iyaloja General, Ekiti State, Mrs Habitat Ogunjobi, affirmed the readiness to collaborate with the Ministry and warned against non-compliance.
After the meeting, the State Commissioner, Environmental Officers and Iyalojas went for an on-the-spot assessment of Mojere market, where traders were warned to desist from littering the median and were mandated to clean their stalls and adjoining drains.
