Tomato Market Shut Over Sanitation Violations
The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, Dr. Margaret Elayo, has ordered the closure of the Tomato Market in Lafia for violating sanitation rules and regulations.
The Commissioner issued the order during this month’s sanitation exercise, which coincided with this year’s National Environmental Sanitation Day.
The sanitation exercise for August 2026, which coincided with this year’s National Environmental Sanitation Day, took Dr. Margaret Elayo, Commissioner for Environment, Solid Minerals and Mining, alongside the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Barrister Yahaya Yakubu Eden, directors and other members of the task force, to the Tomato Market.
At the market, the Commissioner expressed dissatisfaction with the high level of unsanitary conditions observed within the premises.
After inspecting the Tomato Market, the Commissioner and her team ordered that the market be closed for two days to allow for thorough cleaning and ensure that it meets the required environmental standards.
Thereafter, the Commissioner and her team proceeded to Makurdi Road, where she inspected the evacuation of dirt and sand from waterways, a project sponsored by Alhaji Muhammed Elle.
She commended the sponsor for contributing to the sanitation exercise and advised members of the public to always keep their surroundings clean.
The Commissioner and her team also visited Akpu processing sites in Tudun Kauri, Lafia, where she expressed dissatisfaction with the level of hygiene.
She advised the owners of the sites to adopt good sanitary practices and ensure that their environments are kept clean at all times.
The Commissioner, who expressed concern over the level of violations, particularly by commercial tricycle operators, revealed that more than 30 violators had been apprehended.
She warned that the ministry would not tolerate acts capable of undermining environmental sanitation rules and regulations.
Dr. Margaret Elayo, who appreciated Engineer Abdullahi Sule for providing the ministry with an enabling environment to operate, also appealed to members of the public to avoid dumping refuse on waterways and endeavour to keep their surroundings clean.
