Traders in Lafia markets, particularly Lafia Modern Market in Nasarawa State, are expressing concerns over the deteriorating sanitary conditions, uncollected refuse, and alleged neglect by the Nasarawa State Market Bureau. They cited heaps of refuse, poor access roads, inadequate security, and a lack of basic amenities, including water. The traders described the situation as a government abandonment. Sule Ali, a trader, said the poor sanitation and unhygienic conditions in Lafia Modern Market posed serious public health risks.
The traders complained that uncollected garbage and food waste attracted pests, flies, and rodents, exposing traders and customers to potential health hazards. According to Ali, refuse that should be evacuated every two days or weekly was sometimes left unattended for months before being cleared. This has resulted in losses for traders operating close to the dumping site due to dwindling patronage, as the stench emanating from the refuse discouraged customers from visiting their shops. Ali accused the state Market Bureau of failing to address their complaints.
Muhammad Nureedeen, the Chairman of Lafia Modern Market, accused the Nasarawa State Market Bureau of imposing excessive taxes while failing to provide adequate services. He said traders had continued to pay service charges without receiving commensurate services from the bureau. Nureedeen appealed to the state government to return the responsibility for collecting and managing service charges to the market management, arguing that this would improve service delivery.
Nureedeen expressed concern that the failure to evacuate refuse regularly could increase the risk of infectious diseases and illnesses associated with poor sanitation, including cholera and typhoid fever. He said a clean market meant a healthy community and that when the market was clean, buyers would feel comfortable, business would grow, and everyone would live in good health. The Chairman also raised concerns about the absence of banks in and around the market, which had heightened security concerns for traders who handled cash from daily sales.
Yusuf Rabi’u, the Chairman of Lafia Neighbourhood Market, said traders were often worried about the safety of their goods, particularly after the market had closed for the day. He said security fees could help improve safety if the money collected was properly accounted for and used for its intended purpose. Rabi’u appealed to the Nasarawa State Government to strengthen security in the markets and prevent traders from being subjected to unnecessary charges.
Responding to the complaints, the Director-General of the Nasarawa State Market Bureau, Yakubu Ahmed Ubangari, assured traders that the bureau would intensify efforts to address the challenges. On the issue of service charges, Ubangari explained that the amounts collected from traders were insufficient to cover all the services required in the markets, including refuse evacuation, security payments, and other maintenance activities.
Ubangari promised to communicate the traders’ concerns to the state government and seek its intervention in addressing some of the security challenges. He said the bureau would request the government to absorb some security personnel into its payroll, which would enable the agency to improve the stipends of the remaining security guards and channel available resources towards resolving other challenges facing the markets.
Key points
- The traders are calling for urgent government intervention to address the poor sanitation and security challenges in Lafia markets.
- The Nasarawa State Market Bureau has assured traders that it will intensify efforts to address the challenges.
- The Director-General of the Nasarawa State Market Bureau has promised to communicate the traders’ concerns to the state government.
