The Kwara State government has shut down eateries that have failed to comply with environmental standards.
The action is aimed at ensuring the health and well-being of its residents, according to the press secretary of the state Ministry of Environment, Kamaldeen Aliagan in Ilorin on Thursday.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge, expressed disappointment during a recent inspection of some eateries in the Ilorin metropolis.
She lamented that despite repeated warnings, some eateries have refused to comply with environmental laws and maintain proper hygiene.
According to her “we have received complaints from residents about these facilities and our inspection has revealed that they engage in unacceptable practices, including discharging the untreated wastewater from their eateries to the public which is inimical to the healthy living of residents.”
She reiterated that the action of the government was aimed at protecting residents from harmful environmental conditions 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.