The Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) has announced plans to intensify inspections of food processing centres and street food outlets across the state, warning that operators who fail to meet hygiene and waste management standards will face sanctions.
The move, aimed at curbing the spread of Lassa fever, was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the agency’s Press Secretary, Aliyu Amode.
Raising concerns over environmental practices that may increase the risk of infection, the General Manager of KWEPA, Jide Aina, emphasised the critical role food handlers play in preventing outbreaks.
“Food handlers occupy a critical position in safeguarding public health, particularly in preventing contamination during food processing, storage and sales,” the statement read.
Aina explained that Lassa fever is commonly transmitted through contact with infected rodents or the consumption of food contaminated by rodents’ urine or droppings, underscoring the need for stricter safeguards in food production and distribution chains.
As part of the enforcement drive, garri processing factories and other food production facilities have been directed to store raw materials and finished products in rodent-proof containers at all times.
Operators are also required to maintain routine cleaning of equipment and facilities, and ensure proper waste disposal to prevent rodent infestation.
The agency further cautioned street food vendors against unsafe practices such as displaying food on bare ground, roadsides or other exposed surfaces.
Vendors were urged to keep food covered, maintain personal hygiene, wash hands regularly with soap and clean water, and dispose of refuse responsibly rather than dumping waste in drainage channels or public spaces.
“Key preventive measures include maintaining clean surroundings around business premises, using safe water for food preparation and ensuring proper handling and disposal of food packaging materials,” Aina said.
He announced that routine inspections and enforcement activities would be stepped up statewide, stressing that violators would be sanctioned in line with environmental health regulations.
“Ensuring proper hygiene and waste management is not optional; it is essential to protecting lives. Together, we can drastically reduce the risk of Lassa fever and promote a healthier Kwara State,” he added.
Aina called on food business operators and residents to embrace collective responsibility in maintaining environmental cleanliness, noting that preventing Lassa fever requires proactive action from all stakeholders.
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