From Samuel James, Ilorin

The Kwara State government has closed down some eateries over the poor environmental conditions and other violations of environmental laws.

The enforcement action was made known by the Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge who carried out an inspection to some of the affected eateries in Ilorin, the state capital.

Buge expressed disappointment over what she described as repeated ignoring of warnings and non compliance of some eateries on proper hygiene and environmental laws.

Though, it was gathered that some residents had recently protested of obnoxious odour within led to the businesses closures in the affected areas.

Some of the inspected eateries shops were shut down and others with big patronage in the country were summoned by the commissioner.

Hajiya Nafisat said the complaints from residents revealed that they indulged

in unacceptable practices which includes discharging the untreated wastewater from their eateries to the public and that is inimical to the healthy living of residents.

She asserted that the action of the government on such cases was aimed at protecting people from harmful pollution and environmental conditions that are detrimental to their health and safety.

“It becomes very important for the government to shut down some of the eateries that had received warning notices but refused to comply”, she added.

The commissioner further said it’s in line with the environmental health laws that they must meet some expected conditions before they can be allowed to operate or reopen their business.

However, the conditions mentioned include; effluent treatment of their pits to avoid the emission of obnoxious odours and 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.