Ogun Seals Panseke Market Over Environmental Infractions
The Ogun State Government on Monday sealed the popular Panseke market in Abeokuta due to persistent environmental infractions. The market was closed following repeated warnings to traders who failed to comply with regulations.
According to Farook Akintunde, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment and Chairman of the Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, the sealing was necessitated by the traders’ disregard for laws and regulations. “Despite numerous sensitization efforts and stakeholder meetings, the traders have continued to engage in street trading, causing inconvenience to road users and clogging drainages with their wares,” Akintunde explained.
The traders, however, claim they were asked to pay a fine of N2.5 million to reopen the market. “We don’t know when this will end. The market leaders are trying to negotiate with the authorities to reduce the fine.”
Akintunde denied levying a fine on the market, stating that the market would be reopened once the traders agreed to abide by the law. He also clarified that seized goods had been returned to their owners.
Traders have appealed to the government to reopen the market, citing economic hardship. Akintunde assured that the government’s primary concern is to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, adding that any fines would be subject to government decision.
This development is part of the state government’s efforts to enforce environmental compliance and maintain public order in markets across Ogun State.
