By Abbas Nazil
The Kwara State Ministry of Environment has sealed a cold room in Ilorin, the state capital, after discovering that it sells rotten fish to unsuspecting members of the public.
The action was taken last Saturday during a routine inspection exercise by the ministry’s officials, aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
Confirming the operation, the Kwara State Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge, stated that the ministry’s officials acted promptly to prevent further sale of the unwholesome products.
She said the contaminated fish were confiscated, and the cold room was immediately shut down to stop further distribution.
Buge described the act of selling decayed food items as inhuman, ungodly, and a clear violation of public health laws.
She cautioned traders across the state to desist from engaging in practices that endanger lives, warning that the government would not hesitate to enforce strict penalties against offenders.
The commissioner also praised residents for their active participation in the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise held on Saturday.
She urged the public to continue prioritising hygiene by keeping their surroundings clean and by reporting any activities that could threaten public health to the ministry or the nearest law enforcement agency.
The sanitation exercise, which included cleaning and bush clearing in various communities, was monitored by the Chairman of the Kwara State House Committee on Environment, Omotosho AbdulRazaq, and the General Manager of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency, Honourable Jide Aina.
Both officials engaged with community groups and local associations to encourage greater public participation and environmental responsibility.
The Ministry of Environment reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of residents through regular monitoring, enforcement, and public awareness campaigns.
It also warned that any business found selling unsafe or contaminated food items would face immediate closure and prosecution under state environmental and public health regulations.
Buge expressed the state government’s determination to make Kwara a clean, safe, and healthy environment for all residents.