Lagos — The Lagos State Government through its ministry of Environment has insisted that Mile 12 and Ketu Fruits markets which were clamped down on Tuesday would remain shut until the state sanitation laws were complied with by the market operators.

While reiterating the reason for the closure of the two markets in Lagos, the State Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello said both markets were closed for flagrant abuse of the state environmental sanitation law and indiscriminate loading and off- loading of goods on the main highway which often lead to traffic gridlock especially those plying the ever-busy Ikorodu road.

Bello further accused traders in both markets of having inadequate toilets in the markets, saying some of them even do mess up the surrounding environment with human wastes.

He added that the markets' closure became inevitable after several unheeded warnings to forestall epidemics and other health hazards in the state.

The commissioner also decried the idea of converting the markets to residential areas, insisting they were meant for business activities and not for residential purposes. He said the idea of converting markets to residential purpose would evidently cause untoward consequences on the environment.

Meanwhile the state said it has commenced immediate clearing and dredging of drainages in anticipation of early rains. In a statement issued by the state Drainage Maintenance and Emergency Flood Abatement Department, the government said its effort is geared towards attainment of Zero Tolerance on flooding.