The Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) has warned market leaders and traders against indiscriminate waste dumping, adding that erring markets risk closure to safeguard public health.

The Managing Director of OGWAMA, Farouk Akintunde, issued the warning after evacuating long-standing waste dumps at the farmers’ market, Solu Road, Ifo, and the mamu market in Ijebu North on Sunday.

Mr Akintunde described the practice of dumping refuse in markets rather than at designated collection points as unacceptable.

According to him, such practice causes environmental pollution and poses serious public health risks.

He said OGWAMA had consistently engaged market leaders on proper waste management but expressed concern that some traders still ignored the directives despite repeated sensitisation.

He warned that the government would not allow negligence to endanger residents’ health, urging market leaders to ensure regular sanitation and proper waste disposal within their markets.

Mr Akintunde stated that any return to illegal waste dumping after the recent evacuation exercise would attract sanctions, including the closure of affected markets, in the overriding public interest.

He urged traders to dispose of waste through government-licensed waste collectors, stressing that indiscriminate dumping contaminates food items and increases the risk of food poisoning and disease outbreaks.

He stressed the need for markets to operate in clean environments, adding that exposing food to waste violates acceptable sanitation standards and would no longer be tolerated by the state government.

“These heaps of waste expose food items sold in these markets to avoidable contamination, which could lead to food poisoning and other health challenges for the general public.

“Markets should operate in clean environments with proper waste management because they are public places where we all buy what we consume, not serve as havens for illegal waste dumping.

“Exposing what we consume to waste is unacceptable and will not be tolerated under any guise whatsoever,” he said.

(NAN)