The government of Kwara has warned traders at the Sunday-Sunday market, Kulende/Sango Area of Ilorin, to desist from dumping refuse on the road medians and drainages.

State Commissioner for Environment, Remilekun Banigbe, gave the warning during a visit to the market to ensure that the state keeps pace with global environmental standards.

“The Ministry will not condone any form of misbehaviour from defiant traders that may mar the government’s efforts in sustaining its position on the world map,” Ms Banigbe said.

The commissioner and her team, in the company of the general manager of Kwara Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA), Sa’ad Danmusa, participated in addressing the setback.

Ms Banigbe explained that the effort was to ensure that indiscriminate dumping of refuse did not provoke an outbreak of diseases.

She noted that such an attitude could cause drainage blockage and heavy floods that could jeopardise millions of lives and properties.

“I employ the traders to make effective use of the waste disposal bins available in the market as effective use of the bins will pave a multitude of ways for a sane market environment,” she said. 

The commissioner frowned at the traders that display their goods on the roadside, pointing out that such an act can make them vulnerable by exposing them to mechanical and human dangers on the road.

Ms Banigbe reiterated her commitment to ensuring that the state conforms to global practice through proactive measures to change the people’s lackadaisical attitude towards a clean environment.

(NAN)