Lagos reopens Ebute-Ero market after three weeks of closure
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos State Ministry of Environment has announced the reopening of the Ebute-Ero Gorodom market after a three-week closure caused by repeated environmental violations.
The market, located in Lagos Island, was shut down for not adhering to environmental regulations that posed potential health risks to the area.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the reopening after a thorough inspection of the market and surrounding areas, including Oke Arin and Gorodom.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Wahab emphasized that the market was only allowed to reopen after the traders had committed to meeting necessary hygiene and waste management standards.
Wahab, who led the inspection, said the decision to temporarily close the market was not taken lightly but was deemed necessary to prevent further environmental degradation.
“Nobody wants to inflict pain on anybody. The government will never want to inflict pain on its citizens, but we must be responsible as citizens to play our own roles. When we came and we ordered this enforcement, it was a very tough decision but necessary,” he explained.
He explained that for over a decade, issues like waste management and improper building on drainage alignments had been ignored, contributing to flooding and the potential outbreak of diseases such as cholera.
The commissioner laid down strict conditions for the reopening, warning the traders that any failure to adhere to the new guidelines would result in another closure.
“We shall go around every nook and cranny of Lagos State, every marketplace where we have our alignments because if there’s a flood, you people will be abusing the government,” he said.
The traders, represented by Iyaoloja Fausat Ojikutu through Alhaja Basirat Owolewa, expressed their gratitude for the reopening. They promised to abide by the rules and cooperate fully with the authorities moving forward.
Wahab stressed the importance of sustaining a clean and safe environment, warning that failure to comply would result in even harsher measures.
He emphasised that the government is committed to maintaining a healthy, clean, and flood-free environment for all residents of Lagos.
