From Maurice Okafor,Enugu
Even as the two cases of COVID-19 victims in Enugu state have been confirmed negative after treatment and discharged, the state Fire Service,the agency handling the decontamination exercise in the state is further equipped with ‘bio pesticides chemicals to ensure effective fumigation of the state against killer insects,bacteria in addition to corona virus disease, as it began second phase of the exercise at the weekend.
The state Chief Fire Officer. Engr.Okwudili Ohaa dropped this hints in a chat with news in Enugu after fumigating and decontaminating the premises of Nigerian Prison headquarters in Enugu, the Directorate of State Service( DSS) and Enugu East local government headquarters compound.
Hr disclosed that under the directive of the state government, his agency is embarking on both decontamination and fumigation in the second phase of the exercise, having bern provided with bio pesticide chemicals donated to the state by a drug manufacturing company.
His words,”Having completed the first phase of decontamination exercise on April 14 during which we disinfected a total of 59 locations comprising of markets, motor parks, Shopping malls and other several public places, We have the mandate of the state government to embark on the second phase.This time around we are further equipped by the state government to decontaminate and fumigate at the same time”
“The fumigation aspect of the exercise In the second phase arose from the fact that a drug manufacturing company as part of it’s own support to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi initiative donated ” Bio pesticides chemicals capable of killing insects, bacteria and other virus to the state.Governor Ugwuanyi instantly released the drums of the chemicals for our services. Now it can be said we have embarked on decontamination and fumiecgation In this second phase “.
Engr Ohaa disclosed that the decontamination and fumigation exercise which is on going in Enugu staeerte is still free based on the fact that the state government freely provided all the materials to his agency and the o providing other logistics for prompt execution of the exercises. But henceforth the exercise wil be executed purely on invitation both from communities, corporate organizations,Educational institutions etc,with a prove that they were boycotted in the first phase.
The Controller,Nigerian Correctional Services,Mr Joseph Emelue,while receivo the Enugu state Fire service team on fumigation and decontamination exercise to Nigerian prison headquarters Enugu,located at Independence layout Enugu,expressed gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi for the gesture extended to his establishment. He said the proactive strategy of fumigating the Nigerian prisons in Enugu is an addition to the safety measures of social distancing, washing of hands,avoiding social gatherings etc practised by the prison staff.
Similarly, the Chairman of Enugu East Council area, Hon Alex Ugwu while commending the state fire service team for fumigating his Council headquarters and it’s environments extolled Governor Ugwuanyi for being among the first Governors in the country to adopt and practicalise fumigation and decontamination as a proactive strategy to curtail spread of Corona virus disease in Enugu state.
He disclosed that Enugu East local government under his watch has continued to sensitise the various communities on the reality of COVID-19 and the pertinent need to stick to preventive methods and government orders to stay at home,regular washing of hands,social distancing.He appraised the compliance rate among his communities to be on the high side.
Hon Ugwu stated,”We are doing our very best as arm of government closest to our people.We have engaged town criers to continue informing and creating awareness of the pandemic among our people in line with the directive of the state government. We are equally in touch with President General of the various town union’s religious leaders etc. As you can see,my council administration have started distribution of some palliatives which include about 415 thousand bags of rice to be shared among the grass roots.I purposely allowed Church leaders to be in charge of this set of palliatives. We hope to get across other sections of our leaders in the next round of palliatives “.
