The Lagos State Government on Saturday said it would seal up any building where residents displayed their clothes outside indiscriminately.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, gave the warning while speaking with newsmen shortly after monitoring the monthly sanitation exercise in Egbe-Idimu area of the state.

He said spreading of  washed clothes on fences and frontage of buildings was becoming the norm in some parts of the state.

According to him, the practice constitutes a nuisance to the environment.

The commissioner also warned residents, who wash and spread their clothes on bridge railings on  major roads to desist from such act, saying tough actions would be taken against erring persons.

“We are telling residents who wash and spread clothes on the streets, major highways and other places outside their homes to desist from the practice as it constitutes  a great environmental nuisance.

“This is not good for our people and our state. We have directed the officials of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) to pack those clothes as refuse wherever they see them.

“We will not hesitate to seal up buildings or houses outside of which compounds residents hang their clothes indiscriminately,“ Bello said.

He also urged the residents to create spaces within the confines of their homes to spread their clothes rather than doing so in places “not friendly to the environment.’’

The commissioner said that major roads and bridges were not the right places for the spreading of clothes, adding that those indulging in such practice were risking their lives.

Bello had earlier decried the erection of structures on  flood plains and pipelines by residents of Egbe-Idimu.

He said that the situation was a major source of flooding and other disasters.

The commissioner urged the residents to remove such offending structures to ensure  their safety.

He also said the state government would demolish the Orisumbare Cattle Market in the area and relocate the traders because it was erected  on a drainage channel

The commissioner urged those affected to show understanding on the government’s plan, saying that relocation of the market was to pave way for the planned drainage development project in the area.

The market leader, Mr Musibau Jolaosho, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the state government`s planned relocation of the market came as surprise to the traders.

He said that the market, which had the state government`s approval, had been in existence for over 20 years, serving other 36 markets in Alimosho Local Government area with beef.

“This place is actually one of the six approved abattoirs in the state. We are worried about the government`s plan, especially as we are about improving things in the market.

“But, if the state government still wants to carry out its plan, we can`t fight the government.

“But, we appeal that the government should immediately provide another place for us so that we can go on with our lives,’’ he said.

Read more: Vanguard Newspapers