The Edo State Government is intensifying ongoing sensitization campaigns to improve cleanliness and sanity across markets in the state.
The government, on Friday, embarked on a sensitization tour around major markets in the state, reiterating the need to maintain a clean environment and embrace safe environmental habits.
The government team on the tour includes the Edo State Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Osasere Evbuomwan; Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Liaison Officer, Hon. Erick Osanyande and General Manager, Edo Waste Management Board, Charles Imariagbe. Others are health officers, waste managers and PUWOV officials, amongst others.
Some markets visited include Oregbeni Market, Market Square, Lucky Way, all in the Ikpoba-Hill axis of the State.
Addressing journalists during the tour, Evbuomwan said, “It has become important to tour several markets in Edo State to look at the state of the markets and sensitize our market women, traders, and Edo people on the need to ensure that the environment and markets are kept clean.
“The state government has promised to set up a support structure with the help of the waste management board to help the local government keep the markets clean. This move will also help the government keep the State clean and green.”
He added, “We are encouraged to own our environment. We encourage Edo people to ensure their environment is kept clean and ensure they own the environment. The sensitization is continuous to ensure that the people imbibe the culture of cleaning their environment.”
On his part, the Ikpoba-Okha LGA Liaison Officer, Hon. Erick Osanyande noted, “The waste managers in charge of the market are not doing enough to evacuate refuse and keep the market clean. We are mandating the environmental health officers to work with the waste manager to evacuate the refuse in the market.
“The local government collects revenue from the markets but is not aware of the multiple tickets the traders are charged and has directed the DPO of Aduwawa to arrest and detain those responsible for multiple ticketing and charge them to Court to face the law.
“Collecting multiple tickets is wrong and illegal. We are mandating the waste managers and giving them two weeks to ensure that all the wastes in this market are evacuated.”