Posted by By Eromosele Ebhomele on
Shop owners in Ikeja were, this morning, thrown into confusion as their business premises were sealed by the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA).
Shop owners in Ikeja were, this morning, thrown into confusion as their business premises were sealed by the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA).
Though reasons for the action differ, the shop owners accused the agency of exploitation. They claimed that they had always contributed N1,500 each to the agency officials on a monthly basis.
'But last month, we could not reach them as some of us have not been able to pay the money. This, we think, is the reason for their action' Emeka, who sells computer accessories claimed.
Another trader, who pleaded anonymity, told P.M.News that the officials have been coming to threaten them since the beginning of this month. 'You can see that they just carried out their threats,' he told P.M.News.
However, when approached, the LAWMA officials denied the claim by the shop owners as they claimed that the traders were fond of going against sanitation rules.
'Whenever we come here, their environment is always dirty, looking unkept. We brought in a bin, but do you know that these people don't use it?' one of the officials asked.
The official said he does not believe his colleagues ask the traders for bribe 'or whatever settlement they are claiming', as according to him, whenever they come to the area, it is the LAWMA officials who do the cleaning up for the traders.
According to him, the officials got tired and reported to the agency management who ordered the places sealed up. When P.M.News got to the premises, the shops were under lock and key while the seal-up order was displayed conspicuously on the gate. However, some traders were seen sneaking into their shops to satisfy the demands of their customers.