By Stanley Onunkwor
The Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, Esq., has warned traders and market leaders at Nkpor Market in the Onitsha metropolis to improve sanitation, upgrade slaughterhouse facilities and comply strictly with environmental and trading regulations.
Dr. Aguiyi gave the warning on October 20 during an inspection of the market, accompanied by members of the ASMATA Taskforce led by Hon. Ezenwaka Christian. The exercise focused on sanitation, waste management, slaughterhouse hygiene and compliance with designated trading spaces.
The commissioner expressed satisfaction with the general level of cleanliness observed but emphasised the need for sustained efforts to maintain a clean, safe and healthy market environment. He urged traders to provide and properly use waste bins, warning against indiscriminate refuse disposal. He also disclosed that the taskforce would conduct periodic, unannounced inspections to ensure compliance with environmental standards.
At the market’s slaughterhouse, Dr. Aguiyi acknowledged its relatively clean condition but stressed the need for structural improvements and appropriate equipment to promote hygienic operations and protect public health.
He urged the market leadership to prioritise food safety by renovating the facility and replacing crude slaughtering and meat-handling practices with more appropriate and hygienic methods. He warned that the ministry would not hesitate to shut down the slaughterhouse if it failed to meet the required standards, adding that a more suitable facility design could be considered where necessary.
Dr. Aguiyi also expressed concern over traders occupying pedestrian walkways and extending their activities beyond designated barricades onto the express road. He noted that such practices obstructed pedestrian movement, constituted environmental nuisances and contributed to traffic congestion.
The commissioner charged the market leadership to take responsibility for maintaining order and enforcing compliance, stressing that proactive supervision was preferable to waiting for intervention by the taskforce.
In response, the market leadership thanked the commissioner for the inspection and observations, disclosing that plans to renovate the slaughterhouse were already underway. The leadership pledged to expedite the improvements, seek guidance from the ministry where necessary and cooperate fully with the taskforce to meet environmental and public health requirements.
Dr. Aguiyi reaffirmed the ministry of Environment’s commitment to promoting sanitation, food safety and responsible trading practices across Anambra State. He said the initiative aligned with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of a clean, green, responsible and livable Anambra State, urging traders, market leaders and other stakeholders to support the government’s environmental agenda through sustained compliance and collective responsibility.
Stanley Onunkwor is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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