By Peter Dansu Traders in Lagos are voicing their frustrations over the government's Thursday market closure policy, and they're no...
By Peter Dansu
Traders in Lagos are voicing their frustrations over the government's Thursday market closure policy, and they're not holding back. In a formal petition directed to the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Comrade Fagboyinbo Moses from Badagry has stepped up to represent the concerns of local traders and citizens, urging for an urgent reassessment of this policy.
The current rule enforces a mandatory three-hour closure every Thursday, requiring all markets and shops to shut down from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for environmental cleaning. However, many traders feel this directive is doing more harm than good.
“This policy is hurting our livelihoods, leading to unnecessary hardship and loss of income,” the petition states. “Even with the closure, we don’t see any real improvement in the environment. Instead, Environmental Health Officers seem more focused on enforcing the ban to collect fines than on making our streets cleaner.”
The petition takes aim at the enforcement strategy, arguing that it seems to prioritize revenue collection over genuine environmental benefits. The signatories believe the emphasis is more on punishing those who don’t comply rather than achieving cleaner surroundings.
As a more effective solution, the group suggests a different approach. They propose that markets and shops be allowed to operate normally while Environmental Health Officers carry out regular inspections during business hours, with shop owners present. They also urge the state government to increase the number of health officers to boost monitoring and sanitation efforts.
“These changes would lead to cleaner environments, enhance government revenue through legitimate channels, and support the economic health of traders,” the petition concludes.
“The petition highlights that these measures would lead to cleaner environments, boost government revenue through legitimate channels, and enhance the economic well-being of traders,” the statement reads.
The traders stress that their aim isn’t to downplay the significance of a clean and healthy environment. Instead, they want to ensure that the government’s approach is fair and balanced, without stifling the economic activities of countless hardworking Lagosians.
While the Lagos State Government hasn’t provided an official response yet, the growing public pressure and pressing economic realities suggest that a policy review might be on the way.
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