By Bisola Adeyemo
Lagos and Ogun state governments have expressed displeasure over the level of environmental degradation at Kara cattle market.
Operators of the market have been directed to provide basic facilities within a certain period or face severe sanction.
Kara Market which is located along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, mainly operates by Hausa and Fulani from the northern part of the country.
The directive was issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Ogun State on Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, and Director General of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu when the duo led other officials on an unscheduled inspection of the cattle market following reports of indiscriminate disposal of waste along Kara waterfront.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu, “Upon arrival at Kara Market, it was discovered that all the waste generated (abattoir waste, cattle dungs and sewage) were being indiscriminately disposed into the waterways which could lead to serious environmental and health hazards.
“This indiscriminate disposal waste could result in flooding around the waterways that flow into Owode Onirin/ Mile 12 axis and other parts of Lagos. In addition, an epidemic could result from this as well.”
Government officials subsequently, Sensitized the cattle sellers and meat processors on the need to keep high hygiene by desisting from disposing of waste into Kara waterways.
They, therefore, directed the operators to henceforth dispose of waste properly through Ogun State Public Sector Participant, PSP, waste operators and anyone caught in the act would be sanctioned while the market would be shut.
Construction of a septic tank to treat all human waste, erecting of a waste retention tank at the Abattoir, was recommended by government officials as a means of avoiding severe sanctions.
While others include Strategic placement of waste collection materials around the market, daily cleaning of the market, and mandate to commence immediate aggressive cleaning of existing waste in the Kara Market.
