Lagos govt seals 13 markets in Ketu, Ikorodu over environmental violations

The Lagos State Government has sealed no fewer than 13 markets and commercial facilities located along the Ketu and Ikorodu Road axis.

The spokesperson for the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Folashade Kadiri, disclosed this via a statement issued on Friday, April 11, 2025.

Kadiri said the action followed series of unheeded warnings and environmental abuse by market operators and traders in the affected areas.

The affected markets and facilities are Erukan, Oja Oba, Ketu, Owoseni Tundas, Oba Ogunjobi, Mile 12, and the Ketu Terminal Market (6 plazas) as well as Shop Owners at BRT Terminal.

Others include Ifesowapo Shop Owners Market and Demurin Street Plaza Shops, Ketu, Occupant, 6 Demurin Road, Ketu, Ifelodun market in Ketu.

Also affected are the Ibadan Unit 1 Park (between Babajide Sanwo-Olu Market and Ikosi Fruit Market), Ketu Tipper Garage, and Ikosi Fruit Market.

Speaking on the development, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources,Tokunbo Wahab, reiterated the state government’s stance on its ‘Zero Tolerance for Waste’ campaign.

Wahab warned that any market or commercial outlet that failed to meet the prescribed standards of cleanliness and proper waste disposal would be shut down indefinitely.

The commissioner stated: “The zero tolerance for waste initiative is still fully in force. We are not going back on it.

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“The only acceptable path for all markets and traders is to adopt and maintain decent waste management practices, as outlined LAWMA.
“The markets under closure will remain shut until these standards are met and sustained.”

Wahab stressed that the closures would remain in place indefinitely, until all affected markets implemented comprehensive sanitation measures, procure appropriate waste bins, and engage with LAWMA-licensed PSP operators.

He added that the affected markets and facilities must demonstrate sustained compliance through monitoring and enforcement.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, urged market leaders to take full responsibility for the environmental conditions of their domains, by ensuring that all traders complied with existing waste management protocols.

Gbadegesin said: “The expectations are clear: use the double dino bins, avoid dumping waste on road medians and roadsides, thereby obstructing traffic,  activate internal waste policing, to monitor compliance within your markets.

“Pay your waste bills. Markets that continue to defy these basic regulations will face stiff sanctions.”

He warned that the enforcement drive would be intensified in the coming weeks adding that no facility would be spared, if found wanting in its environmental responsibility.

The Star