From- State chief fire officer, Engr.Okwudiri Ohaa with Chairman, New artisan cattle market,Alhaji Danladi Abubakar, during fumigation of New artisan cattle market,yesterday.
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Enugu state government has commenced disinfection and fumigation of livestock markets in the state as part of proactive measure to curtail spread of corona virus disease in the state,as the new artisan livestock market and Gariki cattle market,Awkunanaw,both in Enugu metropolis were fumigated yesterday.
The Enugu state Chief Fire officer Engr Okwudiri Ohaa,whose agency is in charge of the fumigation and decontamination exercise in Enugu state said the environments where the animals are kept deserves to be disinfected against all forms of disease, bacteria and fear of corona virus since the livestock market is exempted from the lockdown and transactions consistently conducted from the Northern parts of the country into Enugu state.
Engr Ohaa stated,”Bearing in mind that the livestock market transpires within these period of the lockdown,it becomes very important that the environments where these animals are kept are fumigated against diseases and pesticides. We are happy that the chemicals required for the exercise is also provided by the state government”.
“It is also necessitated by the state government’s initiative to control the spread of COVID-19 in Enugu state.Since this animals and their herdes traversed several borders before coming into Enugu state,we consider it wise to disinfect them occasionally and ensure their environments are hygienic”.
Engr Ohaa stressed the decontamination and fumigation of all cattle markets henceforth will be a periodic exercise even after the fight against corona virus disease is over.
The Chairman of New artisan livestock market, Alhaji Danladi Abubakar,who witnessed the fumigation exercise said he is ensuring that all recommended safety measures like washing of hands,social distancing etc are observed in the new artisan cattle market.
He expressed gratitude to the Enugu state government for extending the fumigation and decontamination exercise freely to cattle markets in Enugu state.The chairman of Arewa community in Enugu state, Alhaji Aliyu Manna ed extolled the Enugu state government led by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the peace and harmony existing in the state among the Hausa and their host communities. He prayed Allah to Enugu state a COVID-19 free state.
Chairman of Gariki Cattle market Awkunanaw,Alhaji Ali Baba,also welcomed the decontamination and fumigation exercise against diseases and fear of corona disease, disclosed that all the cattle’s that are shifted into Enugu from Northern part of the country are treated before being shifted them.
He disclosed he has being enlightening all residents of Hausa community in Gariki cattle market,Awkunanaw on safety methods to avoid corona virus disease, but he cannot force them to comply.
