Sanwo-Olu’s wife sensitises market women to waste management

The Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, advocated proper waste management to ensure a cleaner Lagos and better living for residents.

Ibijoke stated this at the Sabo Ultra-Modern Market, Yaba, during a one-day seminar on market sanitisation and security for leaders in the Yaba Local Council Development Area.

The seminar was organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development.

It was designed to sensitise market leaders to preventive measures against any form of hazards within the markets.

She explained that her office had continued to re-echo the importance of hygiene, safety and security in the marketplaces while supporting several initiatives of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s strides towards promoting market sanitation and safety.

The governor’s wife said, “Without proper waste management, we risk the possibility of stark consequences such as contamination of food and water, air and water pollution, which do not only threaten the lives of consumers but also the lives of traders.

“However, we can change the narrative by adhering strictly to the guidelines of the state government, which would also help convert these wastes into wealth when properly done.

“The Lagos of our dream and the 21st Century economy we desire in Lagos would only be possible when we religiously adhere to the guidelines of proper waste disposal and recycling in our markets.

“As we discuss this issue, we must also not shy away from the importance of the security of lives and properties in our markets, which requires our vigilance and constant interactions with security operatives in the state, to ensure lives and properties in the markets are safe.”

She added, “Lagos State is committed to transforming waste management in our markets through the Lagos State Waste Management Agency, which has over the years devoted energy, time and resources to ensuring efficient waste collection and disposal systems.

“LAWMA has also continued to provide adequate waste bins and recycling facilities, alongside its efforts in ensuring regular market cleaning schedules.”

The theme of the seminar is: “Improving Waste Management and Public Health in Markets: A Recipe for Economic Growth and Prosperity in Lagos Central Senatorial District.”

She assured the audience that the Sanwo-Olu administration would construct more market infrastructure, and organise training and advocacy seminars to assist the government in its resolve to enforce regulations and standards in the markets.

She appealed to the residents to embrace the government’s desire to build profitable markets that were hygienic and safe for all residents.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Robert, said the consistent advocacy in the last five years resulted in the decrease of cases of fire incidents in markets across the state.

Robert, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Kikelomo Bolarinwa, said it was important to continue to promote hygiene and advocate better marketplace sanitation.

“In the past four years, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has committed herself to ensuring market stakeholders can learn ways to convert the waste in their markets to wealth while reiterating the importance of safety and hygiene in these markets.

“And there have been significant changes in the cleanliness adopted within and around markets as proper waste disposal methods are being adopted, regular sanitation and security, while safety measures are deepened.

“This is why Dr Ibijoke has remained unshaken in her resolve to acquaint market stakeholders with the information needed to help avert potential health risks that lurk around our markets,” she said.

The Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area, Kayode Omiyale, appreciated the efforts of the governor’s wife towards creating quality ambience around marketplaces.

He said the council, over the years, prioritised hygiene, safety and security and was upscaling the market facilities to a world standard.

In their different presentations, facilitators took turns to sensitise market leaders to their roles to ensure a secure and safe market.