The Enugu State Fire Service has commenced the decontamination and fumigation of all court premises and offices in the state, from the State Judiciary Headquarters complex at Independence Layout, Enugu.
Briefing newsmen on the development, the State Chief Fire Officer, Engr. Okwudiri Ohaa, said that the exercise was directed by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in furtherance of his administration’s efforts to contain the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Enugu State.
Engr. Ohaa explained that the first phase of the decontamination will cover the High Courts and Magistrates Courts, while the second phase will be the turn of the Customary Courts.
While noting that the court premises are among the sensitive places that attract influx of people, the Engr. Ohaa recalled that the administration of Gov. Ugwuanyi had recently decontaminated the entire Enugu metropolis and its environs, all major markets in the state, motor parks, hospitals, among other high traffic areas.
He disclosed that the exercise will be repeated in some of the areas, pointing out that “from here (State High Court complex), we will move to the filling stations where essential services are also being rendered”.
He added that the exercise will equally be extended to “Nsukka and Awgu zones”, stressing that “it is only Enugu State that has been consistent in the decontamination and disinfection of its environs”.
He said: “The records are there; we have covered over 300 high human traffic areas in the state and we are continuing.
“The substance we are using for the fumigation and decontamination is powerful chlorine disinfectant mixed with calcium hypochlorite. It is internationally recognized and not harmful to health.”
Responding, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Mrs. Martha Aroh-Onuoha, on behalf of the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Priscilla Ngozi Emehelu, commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for his administration’s visible commitment to the safety, health and wellbeing of the people.
She noted that decontamination coincided with the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, “that all courts should be decontaminated”, describing the exercise by the state government as a welcome development.
