Traders Pledge To Cooperate With Osun Govt On Sanitation

Some traders in Osun State weekend in Osogbo promised to cooperate with the government in maintaining cleanliness in markets across the state in 2014.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN that they were prepared to complement government efforts to ensure cleanliness in markets in 2014 and beyond.
Aliyu Yusuf, an onion trader, said he had bought a waste basket to ensure that dirt from his stall did not spread to other areas.
“As you can see, I stay in an open market and you know onions peel off easily, so I decided to buy this basket to keep the dirt. I do not want to come tomorrow and find my space dirty; besides, the government has provided waste management vehicles and I see no reason why I should not do what is right. There is an order to maintain cleanliness in the state now. I will make sure that I keep the market clean because I do not want to be an example of disobedience to others,’’ he said.
A food vendor, who identified herself as Iya Chichi, said that she while she looked forward to good sales this year, she was also prepared to keep her shop clean.
“I have realised that nobody wants to identify with a dirty environment. As you can see my workers are cleaning the compound. With cleanliness, I know I will have more patronage this year. People are more comfortable eating in a clean environment. Besides, the government is doing everything possible in the area of sanitation. Every Thursday has been set aside as the sanitation day. But I do not think we have to wait sanitation day before cleaning our shops and market places, they should be cleaned on a daily basis. I am going to encourage and support the government,’’ she promised.
Mrs Aisha Taiwo, a hairdresser, said she had always kept her environment neat.
“I do not even like a dirty environment. I cannot bear it. You can see me cleaning up every time, as often as I can. The major challenge here is that the waste stays too long before being evacuated by the waste management team. This is because they come around once in a week. This makes the waste to stink and pollutes the air. Apart from that, I think the government is doing well in the area of sanitation, especially in market places. Let me use this opportunity to advise my colleagues and other traders to cooperate with the government and help to keep our environment safe and healthy,’’ she said.
NIGERIAN PILOT