The Lagos State Government has sealed off the popular Alaba International Market, Ojo in Lagos State, over environmental offences.
The Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the market’s closure through his official Twitter account on Monday.
He wrote on X, “Alaba International Market, Ojo has been sealed up for poor waste disposal practices, failure to pay their waste bills and gross environmental sanitation offences.”
The authorities have cited a severe need for immediate intervention to rectify the deteriorating environmental conditions in and around the Alaba International Market.
Alaba International Market has earned a reputation for being the largest electronics market in West Africa and a place for electronics and home appliances trade.
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However, the State government’s decision to seal off the market reflects the gravity of the environmental issues it faces.
Similarly, the State government revealed its decision on Sunday to shut down the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), BBA, and various other markets within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, which is in the Ojo Local Government Area.
These closures were carried out for similar reasons, including poor waste disposal practices and failure to pay waste disposal fees.
The collaborative efforts of LAWMA, the Lagos Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offenses, and LAGESC carried out the enforcement operation.
According to the government’s spokesperson, Gboyega Akosile, the decision to seal off these markets is a response to the “poor waste disposal practices, non-payment for waste disposal, and general environmental sanitation infractions.”
