Public Health: Benue Govt Embarks on Wadata Market Assessment, Moves to Address its Poor Sanitary Conditions

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue State Government embarked on commenced a coordinated multi-sectoral intervention to improve environmental sanitation and safeguarding public health, beginning with a comprehensive assessment of Wadata market in Makurdi, the state capital.

The joint assessment followed the directive of the State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, after reports of poor sanitary conditions and indiscriminate dumping of refuse within and around the market premises, which have raised serious concerns about the health and safety of traders, customers, residents and other users of the market.

The assessment team led by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche had to his counterpart the Ministry of Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Odoh Ugwu, the Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area, Joseph Keffi, the General Manager of the Benue State Environmental Sanitation Authority (BENSESA), Chief Anta Igbato, alongside other senior government officials.

The delegation was received by the Chairman of Wadata Market, Alhaji Isah Yakubu Gimba, who led the team on an extensive inspection of all sections of the market.

During the assessment, the team observed that the overall sanitary condition of the market was unsatisfactory. The situation was particularly alarming at the abattoir section and in areas adjoining the River Benue, where indiscriminate refuse disposal, poor waste management practices and environmental pollution pose significant public health, environmental and socioeconomic risks.

The team noted that an unhygienic market environment creates favourable conditions for the transmission of communicable diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, diarrhoea diseases and other infectious illnesses.

The poor sanitation, they said also promotes the breeding of mosquitoes, flies and rodents; contaminates food and water sources; generates offensive odours; degrades the environment; blocks drainage channels, thereby increasing the risk of flooding; and diminishes the commercial value, attractiveness and overall productivity of one of Benue State’s busiest economic hubs.

Speaking during the visit, Dr Ogwuche emphasized that good health begins with a clean environment saying that healthcare facilities alone cannot guarantee healthy communities if homes, markets and other public spaces remain unclean.

Ogwuche stressed that while government remains committed to providing an enabling environment through effective policies, efficient waste management systems and the enforcement of environmental sanitation laws, the responsibility for maintaining a clean environment rests with everyone.

He therefore called on market leadership, traders, transport operators, business owners, residents, community-based organisations and all well-meaning citizens to actively support efforts aimed at keeping Wadata Market clean, safe and healthy at all times.

Also, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Odoh Ugwu, advocated practical and sustainable measures to improve sanitation within the market including the provision and proper use of waste bins at strategic locations, regular evacuation of refuse, strict enforcement of sanitation regulations, routine environmental sanitation exercises, improved drainage maintenance, continuous public enlightenment for traders and market users, designated waste collection points, proper disposal of abattoir waste, and the active participation of market associations in promoting and enforcing environmental hygiene standards.

The team said Governor Hyacinth Alia places the health, safety and well-being of the people of Benue State at the centre of governance adding that he would ensure that markets and other public places across the state operate under the highest standards of cleanliness, environmental safety and public health, thereby protecting lives, enhancing livelihoods and promoting sustainable economic development.

The multi-sectoral team jointly resolved to immediately initiate coordinated interventions to address the poor sanitary conditions within Wadata Market and its surrounding environment.

They agreed that similar joint assessments and corrective interventions would be extended to other major markets and public places across Benue State as part of a broader statewide strategy to strengthen environmental sanitation, prevent disease outbreaks and promote healthier communities.