April 14, 2020
By Ijendu Iheaka
Abia Ministry of Environment on Tuesday fumigated some public places including markets, motor parks and bus stops in the commercial city of Aba.
The the exercise, which is in line with the state’s precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 began at the state capital in Umuahia on Monday.
Abia Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Solomon Ogunji who spoke to newsmen in Aba said the fumigation is expected to move to other parts of the state from Wednesday.
Ogunji also said that the exercise would go a long way in curbing the spread of the Covid-19 and other diseases that could help make it’s infection fatal.
He assured that fumigation of the state would henceforth become a routine practice in Abia even after Covid-19, as it has too many benefits.
“This is the second phase. The first phase was in Umuahia on Monday and from Wednesday, we will fumigate the local government areas remaining.
“We have the capacity, equipment and personnel to touch the whole state as we are using the state Fire Service trucks powered with over 70,000 litres of chemicals.
“This will help to prevent Covid-19 and other diseases like malaria and keep our environment safe after Covid-19.
“We shall sustain this because we have the equipment and I want our people to know that Covid-19 is real and let everyone stay safe by obeying the necessary directives”, he said.
Dr Chinagozi Adindu, Executive Secretary, Abia Primary Healthcare Development Agency described the fumigation process would help to disinfest and disinfect the state.
“A disinfection will help us to ensure that we get rid of viruses and some other pathogenic micro organisms in the environment.
“And then disinfestations will help us get rid the state of some other vectors, varmine and other disease-causing agents of public health importance.
“We have here, a combined team of Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, local government health officers and the Fire Department.
“All of us are here, we are working assiduously to ensure that we do this fumigation in public places, markets, schools, banks, churches and even on the streets to make sure that we get rid of this virus”, he said.
He said 200 trained environmental health officers handling the three days assignment have three water tankers from the State Fire Service which would speed up the process.
Adindu said seven groups were created for Aba fumigation meant to cover Timber Market, Flyover Spare parts market also covering Ariaria International Market.
He said other groups were working on Aba-Owerri road, all the churches and the markets, the main motor park, right side of Asa road to Port Harcourt road, and adjourning streets.
“We have another group that is working on Umuoba road from Waterside, while another group is working on Ogbo-Hill through Ikot Ekpene road and its environs.
“Then we have another group that is at Ngwa road, Nkwo-Ngwa axis, another one at Umule and other parts of that axis. So, all the groups are working.
“And as you can see, some of them came back to refill and they will still go back to make sure that they cover their areas.
“We have our friends from Gregory University, Uturu about 10 of them who also worked with us yesterday and we also have 12 staff of School of Health Technology, Aba to add to the group”, Adindu said.
Mr. Victor Gbaruko, the Controller, Abia State Fire Service lauded the exercise as being very smooth and commended the state government for such a well organized exercise.
He assured that the agency would keep collaborating with the necessary ministries and other government agencies to keep Abia safe.
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