Nasarawa govt shuts tomato market over sanitation violations

The Nasarawa State Government has suspended the Kasuwan Tomato Market in Lafia, the state capital, due to persistent environmental sanitation breaches, according to Dr Margaret Elayo, the Commissioner for Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining. During a visit to assess adherence to the sanitation initiative across Lafia, Elayo noted the market had repeatedly failed to uphold proper hygiene measures despite warnings, awareness campaigns, and government interventions.

She pointed out that traders continued to dispose of waste improperly, neglected drainage clearance, and displayed vegetables on the ground, posing a risk to public health. Elayo revealed that Governor Abdullahi Sule had previously sanctioned several drainage-cleaning and waste-evacuation projects in the area; however, traders reverted to their previous practices once the projects were completed.

The market will be closed for two days, after which the government will reassess the situation to ascertain if any improvements have been made. Additionally, 37 commercial tricycles, colloquially known as keke, were impounded for operating during the sanitation hours of 8 am to 10 am on Saturdays. Elayo emphasized the importance of residents embracing cleanliness as a collective responsibility and urged the public to spare two hours for cleaning during the designated hours.