By Daniel Tyokua
The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has threatened to seal two popular markets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over extortion and poor sanitation activities.
Director of the board, Engr Osilama Braimah, listed Wuse and Utako markets as where traders failure to comply with the sanitation guidelines was fast gaining ground.
He disclosed this in an interaction with some Journalists during inspection of Garki International market, which was reopened recently.
Few weeks ago, Garki International was sealed because of the poor sanitation exercise within the environment, but was reopened about a week ago after proper assessment of the area.
Braimah noted that the environmental board didn’t drive joy in sealing markets or business outfits, but he said the unending unwholesome acts will force the board to embark on enforcement.
According to him, the board had received compliant of extortion in Wuse market, and was examining the situation with a view of taking steps that will end the situation.
He said: “We are looking at Wuse market over extortion by touts, as government agency we are going to look into the matter to bring about sanity.
“We would not tolerate any situation that is not pleasing in the Federal Capital City, as a board in charge of environmental issues we must act”.
On Utako market, he stated that, “Utako market is a big problem, if you go behind the market where traders sell meat and perishable items, is extremely filthy. We have told our environmental officers to serve them notice, and will hope they will clean up the market as we direct if not we will come hard on them.
“We have taken time to give them lectures as well as show them the challenges so that they will know and work on it”.
