The Ogun State Government has warned market leaders and traders against indiscriminate waste disposal, saying markets that fail to maintain proper sanitation or dump refuse within their premises could be shut down.

The warning followed concerns over growing heaps of refuse and incidents of open defecation along sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in the state.

During a visit to the Mowe, Ibafo and Magboro axis of the expressway, large volumes of waste were seen dumped on road medians and roadsides, while signs of open defecation were also observed in some locations.

An additional illegal dumpsite was sighted around Lotto Bus Stop.

Some residents blamed the situation on weak enforcement of environmental regulations.

A resident, Kunle Olalekan, said the state government had not done enough to curb indiscriminate dumping of refuse by traders operating along the expressway, adding that the problem had continued to worsen.

Another resident, Ugo Chukwu, urged the government to strengthen monitoring of markets located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, alleging that traders were responsible for much of the waste dumped on the road medians.

He cited the disposal of corn husks near the Mowe section of the expressway, saying the refuse was likely linked to nearby markets.

Reacting to the development, the Special Adviser to the Governor and Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority, Farouk Akintunde, warned that markets found violating waste disposal regulations would face closure.

Akintunde issued the warning after officials evacuated accumulated refuse from the Farmers’ Market along Solu Road in Ifo and Mamu Market in Ifo and Ijebu North Local Government Areas.

He said dumping refuse within market premises instead of designated collection points posed serious environmental and public health risks, including contamination of food items and the spread of preventable diseases.

According to him, markets must maintain clean environments through proper waste management, stressing that the government would not tolerate practices capable of endangering public health.

He directed the leadership of the affected markets to ensure regular sanitation and proper coordination of waste disposal, warning that any recurrence of illegal dumping would lead to the closure of the markets in the interest of public safety.