The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has insisted on not reopening the Garki International market until traders comply with its sanitation guidelines.

Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, stated this when he visited the market along with the director of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Osilama Braimah, to reassess the cleanliness of the environment.

The AEPB sealed Garki market over poor sanitation and the inability of the traders to take necessary measures to keep to the desired standard set by the FCTA.

The minister’s aide said that despite the market’s closure since Friday, May 5, there were still refuse in different locations within the market.

Mr Attah noted that the minister of FCT, Muhammad Bello, wants a clean and safe Abuja; therefore, necessary steps must be implemented to uphold the standard.

Mr Braimah said the board was keen on reopening the market but wanted more than the level of hygiene.

“This is about my fourth visit to the market, but it is still in a deplorable state, very filthy.

“We are planning to reopen the market but looking at what is on the ground, it is impossible. Hopefully, it will be in a few days to come.”

A tailor in the market, Umar Hamza, confirmed that the market had been shut in the last five days due to uncleanliness, and he pleaded for mercy.

“We are appealing to FCT Administration to feel our pains. We have lost huge money over the closure in the last few days.”

Also, a trader in the market, Daniel Kali, said: “We have even started the market clean-up; all the refuse dumps have been reduced to a little as a result of our clean-up exercise.”

(NAN)