The rains are here once again and our markets, especially in the urban areas, have become dirty and impassable.
During rainy seasons, our markets become so muddy that it becomes an uphill task to go through them.
Considering the fact that the food we eat is sold at these places, and considering that most times the market women do not observe hygienic practices while selling their food items, there is always a fear and a possibility that it may pose a health hazard.
As the place turns muddy and buyers and sellers move around, the tendency of the mud spilling over to touch some food items – be it fish, meat or vegetables – is heightened.
This may not be good for the consumers but many would have no choice but to shop there anyway.
The municipal councils should work in collaboration with health and food authorities to ensure that they create a conducive environment for the buying and selling of food.
This should be a collaborative effort as all these departments have a stake in the problem.
The tricky part is timing. What is the right time to embark on such works and what is the urgency?
Failing to plan, it is said, is planning to fail.
Thus, the authorities should have good plans in place and make sure that the work starts on time and is completed well before the rains begin.
We have only about three or four months of rain in this country and therefore the authorities have up to eight months to do the work on time.
If the work to maintain sanitary standards starts immediately after the rains, it would be completed in time for the next rains.
