The Kwara State government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of its residents by shutting down unhygienic eateries that have failed to comply with environmental sanitation standards.
The State’s Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge, expressed disappointment during a recent inspection of some eateries in Ilorin metropolis. She lamented that despite repeated warnings, some eateries have refused to comply with environmental laws and maintain proper hygiene.
In a statement signed by Kamaldeen Aliagan Press Secretary of the Ministry of Environment stated that:
According to her “we’ve received complaints from residents about these facilities, and our inspection has revealed that they engage in unacceptable practices, including discharging the untreated waste water from their eateries to the public which is inimical to the healthy living of residents,” she said.
She reiterated that the action of the government was aimed at protecting residents from harmful environmental conditions that is detrimental to their health and safety.
“It therefore becomes imperative for the government to close down some of the eateries that had received abatement notices and refused to comply, warning that the government will not hesitate to close down any facility found wanting in adherence to sanitation laws.
Hajia Buge informed that in line with the environmental health laws, there are some conditions that must be met before re-opening the facilities, such as effluent treatment of their pits to avoid the emission of obnoxious odours, provision of sanitary dust bins with tight-fitting covers, submission of medical certificates of fitness for the food handlers, provision of aprons for food handlers, reconstruction of defective septic tanks, and general cleaning of the environment, among others.
Some of the eateries and restaurants visited were: The Place, Chicken Republic, Amala Palace, Iya Yusuf restaurant, T & K restaurant, Kwara Mall, Alhaja Ayoka food canteen, others are Item 7, The Mai Shayi, The Chops Central, all located within Ilorin metropolis.
