…Quarterly exercise to commence on Sundays as Alhaji Fatai Lasisi, market leaders urge traders to embrace environmental cleanliness

Ikorodu Local Government has launched a market fumigation and environmental sanitation initiative aimed at promoting hygiene, preventing the spread of infectious diseases and ensuring a cleaner, safer trading environment for traders and customers. The exercise is scheduled to take place quarterly on Sundays.

The programme was officially launched by the Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Prince Abdul-Lateef Adedayo Ladega, represented by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Bisiriyu Babawale Alogba, who reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to improving environmental sanitation and maintaining hygienic market spaces across the local government.

Other dignitaries in attendance included the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Mutiat Fatuga, and the Councillor representing Ward E, alongside Hon. Misbaudeen Alejo, Chairman of the Ikorodu Local Government Market Board and Special Adviser on Market Matters.

In his remarks, Hon. Misbaudeen Alejo emphasised the importance of maintaining proper hygiene and ensuring that market environments remain clean and safe for commercial activities. He stressed the need for regular sanitation, proper waste disposal and collective responsibility among traders, market leaders and relevant government agencies to sustain a healthy trading environment.

He also expressed appreciation to the government and stakeholders for their participation and support for the initiative, urging continued cooperation to ensure the sustainability of the exercise and promote better environmental health across markets in Ikorodu Local Government.

In his remarks, Hon. Misbaudeen Alejo, Chairman of the Ikorodu Local Government Market Board and Special Adviser on Market Matters, emphasised the importance of maintaining proper hygiene and ensuring that market environments remain clean, healthy and safe for traders, customers and other users. He stressed that maintaining a hygienic market environment requires the collective responsibility of market leaders, traders, government agencies and other stakeholders.

He further highlighted the need for regular cleaning, proper waste disposal and adherence to environmental sanitation practices to prevent the spread of diseases and create a conducive atmosphere for commercial activities.

He encouraged traders to take ownership of their immediate surroundings by keeping their stalls and adjoining spaces clean, noting that a well-maintained market contributes to public health, customer confidence and the smooth running of businesses.

Hon. Alejo also expressed appreciation to the government and all stakeholders for their participation and support for the initiative. He acknowledged the importance of collaboration in sustaining the exercise and called for continued commitment to ensuring that markets across Ikorodu Local Government remain clean, orderly and conducive to business activities.

The guest speaker, Alhaji Fatai Lasisi, a member of the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, commended the local government for what he described as a timely and visionary initiative.

He highlighted the relationship between environmental cleanliness, public health, and economic prosperity, stressing that a clean market environment would help protect lives and make markets more attractive to customers.

“Health is wealth. Keeping our market clean is keeping our lives safe,” he emphasized, urging traders to take personal responsibility for maintaining a hygienic environment.

Alhaji Lasisi further explained that cleanliness could positively influence commercial activities, as customers would be more willing to patronize markets where proper sanitation is maintained. Increased patronage, he noted, could translate into improved sales, greater profits, and better livelihoods for traders and their families.

He also called on market leaders and traders to cooperate with the local government in implementing the fumigation exercise and sustaining its impact. He stressed the need for collective action to protect market users from germs, rodents, and other potential sources of infection.

Speaking on behalf of the market leadership, Iya Oloja Sabo commended the chairman for extending the initiative to Sabo Market and encouraged traders to support the programme and cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure its success.

Similarly, the Iya Oloja General Chief Mrs Busola Isikalu appreciated the chairman for the various initiatives introduced across Ikorodu and urged market women to participate actively in the fumigation exercise and other programmes designed to improve market conditions.

The initiative reinforces the importance of preventive public health measures and sustained environmental management in creating safer markets and improving residents’ well-being.