The Kwara State government has shut down a popular market in Ilorin, Mandate Market, for violating environmental laws.

The market, which is located in the Ilorin West local government area of Kwara state, was shut down today (Thursday).

The State Commissioner for Environment, Mallam Shehu Ndanusa Usman, directed that the market be shut down after several warnings to the market leaders by the Ministry in charge of the market.

A statement by Yakub Aliagan, Press Secretary, Ministry of Environment, quoted the Commissioner saying, “We decided to close the market after several meetings with market leaders and us, the Ministry in charge, on the need to strictly adhere to the environmental law, fell into deaf ears.

“We have reminded them severally of the need to clean their environment and evacuate the refuse which may cause an outbreak of epidemics, in the State, but to our dismay, there is no compliance and this warranted our actions today”.

The commissioner said the action in itself is enough warning to all other markets located in the state at large to desist from violating environmental laws or else the ministry would not have any option but to close down erring markets.

He, however, reiterated the commitment of the present administration to sustain a clean and hygienic environment to ensure the healthy living of Kwara residents.

After several hours of closure, the market was, however, reopened following the intervention of some stakeholders in the state, with a promise to comply with environmental laws, the statement said.