Nasarawa govt closes Lafia Tomato Market over poor sanitation

The Nasarawa State Government has shut the popular Tomato Market in Lafia for two days following concerns over unhygienic practices capable of exposing traders and consumers to serious health risks.

The temporary closure was announced by the Commissioner for Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, Princess Margaret Elayo, during the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

Elayo expressed concern over the condition of the market, particularly the practice of displaying perishable food items directly on the ground despite existing sanitation regulations.

She warned that such practices could facilitate the spread of waterborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid fever and chronic dysentery, if left unchecked.

The commissioner said maintaining proper environmental and food hygiene was essential to protecting public health and urged traders to comply with sanitation regulations.

She also cited health data indicating that poor environmental practices, including unsafe food handling and air pollution, contribute significantly to global mortality, accounting for millions of deaths annually.

As part of the inspection exercise, Elayo visited a cassava processing factory located along Makurdi Road, Lafia, where she raised concerns about the level of air pollution around the facility.

According to her, the air quality at the factory was so poor that members of the inspection team experienced difficulty breathing.

She consequently directed the operators to adopt improved processing systems and other measures capable of reducing emissions and mitigating the impact of air pollution on workers and residents in the area.

The commissioner further disclosed that 37 tricycles were impounded during the month for allegedly operating within the period designated for environmental sanitation.

She commended local government chairmen, sanitation volunteers, community-based organisations, ministry officials and members of the media for supporting the state’s efforts to improve environmental cleanliness and public health.

She urged residents and business operators to take sanitation regulations seriously, stressing that maintaining a clean environment remains a collective responsibility.