Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde on Tuesday set up a task force to immediately look into the current environmental situation at the popular Gbagi market in Ibadan to forestall a possibility of outbreak of epidemic.
Makinde’s decision is borne out of population size and multi-national nature of those that patronized sellers in the market
Gbagi market is similar to Idumota market in Lagos and Ariaria market in Aba, Abia State which are well-know as biggest markets in West Africa.
The Makinde administration has recently shown its displeasure over the unkempt outlook of the market as unapproved market stalls had taken over original design of the market and waste management had become difficult for the concerned government agency.
Members of the committee include its Chairman, Sanitarian John Oyewole, Dr. Dapo Atoyebi, a member, Mr G.O Oladele who is also a member and the Secretary of the Task Force, Barrister Oyelakin Oyedokun.
According to the Chairman in a release he signed on Tuesday at Ibadan, the committee was given the task of looking into environmental crisis currently bedeviling the famous market and proffer solutions to it by reaching out to stakeholders.
“With the terms of reference we were given, the Committee is principally saddled with the responsibility of coming up with recommendations targeted at the current environment situations within New Gbagi Market in order to prevent environment pollution, epidemics & fire outbreak among others.
“In view of this, the Task Force hereby wishes to invites letters from members of the public on challenges presently confronting the market as well as appropriate recommendations to the same effect and submit such documents to ROOM 17, Ministry of Environment & Water Resources, Secretariat, Ibadan on or before Friday, 16th August, 2019 during official hours,” Oyewole said.
