The Kwara State Government has issued a stern warning to traders against environmental pollution and the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in markets, as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure a clean and green environment.

The Acting General Manager of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA), Hajia Idayat Folorunsho, delivered the warning during the routine Thursday environmental exercise in major markets across Ilorin, the state capital.

Hajia Folorunsho emphasised the state government’s commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment but stressed that traders must complement these efforts by adhering to proper sanitary practices and ensuring the regular evacuation of waste from the markets.

Represented by the Chief Environmental Officer, Alhaji Yunusa Jida, who led KWEPA officials on the inspection, Hajia Folorunsho highlighted the importance of keeping markets clean, as they serve as central hubs for food and grocery shopping. She warned that poor sanitation could lead to disease outbreaks, posing a risk to public health.

She reiterated that, indiscriminate dumping of refuse around the market areas, and other environmental vices capable of inviting flies and other pests should be shunned to curb the upsurge of pandemic and other preventable diseases.

Folorunsho, however, stressed that it was mandatory for all traders and shop owners to observe the Thursday weekly market environmental sanitation from 7:00 am to 10:00 am as directed by the State Ministry of Environment, warning that contraventions of the State environmental laws would attract appropriate sanctions.

The KWEPA team which visited markets like, Itamadu, Maraba, Ipata and Oja-oba, inspected the environmental sanitation exercise in the markets and ensured environmental laws were obeyed.