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The Ogun State Government has warned market leaders and traders against indiscriminate waste disposal, saying markets that dump refuse within their premises risk being shut down.
The warning follows growing concerns over heaps of refuse and evidence of open defecation along sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in the state.
Observations along the Mowe, Ibafo and Magboro axis of the expressway revealed that road medians and adjoining roadsides have been converted into illegal dumping sites.
At the Mowe section, decomposing waste was seen scattered across several points on the median, while signs of open defecation, including human faeces, were also observed.
Similar environmental conditions were recorded in the Ibafo and Magboro areas, with another illegal refuse dump located near Lotto Bus Stop.
Some residents blamed the worsening situation on inadequate enforcement by the state government.
A resident, Kunle Olalekan, accused the government of failing to effectively monitor traders operating along the expressway, noting that indiscriminate waste disposal had continued unchecked.
He compared the situation with the Lagos section of the expressway, which he said appeared cleaner due to stricter environmental enforcement.
Another resident, Ugo Chukwu, urged the government to intensify monitoring of markets situated along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, arguing that traders were responsible for a significant portion of the waste.
He cited the Mowe area, where heaps of corn husks were allegedly dumped on the road median despite nearby markets where the produce is sold.
Reacting to the situation, the Ogun State Government reiterated that markets found violating environmental sanitation regulations would be closed.
The warning was issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor and Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority, Farouk Akintunde, following the evacuation of accumulated refuse from the Farmers’ Market on Solu Road and Mamu Market in Ifo and Ijebu North Local Government Areas.
Akintunde condemned the practice of dumping waste within market premises instead of using designated collection points serviced by government-approved waste operators.
He warned that the habit exposes food items to contamination, increasing the risk of food poisoning and other preventable health challenges.
According to him, markets should provide clean and hygienic environments for food trading rather than becoming centres for illegal waste disposal.
The government stressed that it would not tolerate practices capable of endangering public health and directed the leadership of the affected markets to ensure proper sanitation and effective waste management.
Akintunde added that any recurrence of indiscriminate waste dumping would attract the closure of the affected markets in the interest of public safety and environmental protection.
