By Mercy Aondoaseer 

Concerns are mounting over the worsening condition of Makurdi Modern Market in Benue State as overflowing refuse dumps and deteriorating roads continue to affect activities within the busy commercial hub.

Traders and residents say waste dumped along the market fence has spread across a major access road, making movement difficult and raising fears of possible health risks.

Makurdi Modern Market, one of the busiest commercial centres in Benue State, is gradually being overwhelmed by poor sanitation and failing infrastructure, Daily Sun findings have shown.

A visit to the market revealed heaps of refuse littering sections of the roadside, with waste reportedly spreading across more than half of a key access route used by traders, motorists and customers entering and exiting the market.

The situation has also been compounded by potholes, erosion gullies and blocked drainage channels around parts of the market, creating serious concerns among business owners and residents in the area.

Some traders who spoke on the development lamented that the condition of the market was becoming increasingly unbearable, especially during periods of heavy rainfall when stagnant water and overflowing waste worsen the environment.

“This road is one of the main ways people move in and out of the market, but the refuse is gradually taking over everywhere,” a trader said.

Another resident described the situation as an embarrassment to a market regarded as one of the state capital’s major economic centres.
Observers say the development points to broader concerns surrounding waste management and maintenance of public infrastructure within the state capital.

They called on relevant authorities, including market management and environmental sanitation agencies, to urgently intervene before the situation escalates further.

As at the time of filing this report, no official response had been issued by the market authorities or relevant government agencies regarding plans to evacuate the waste or rehabilitate the damaged roads.