Okafor Ofiebor

AS part of its proactive measures against the spread of Lassa fever in the state, the Delta State Government has commenced the fumigation of the Ogbeogonogo Modern Market Asaba, the state capital.

The State Commissioner for Environment, John Nani, said that markets in Warri, Sapele and other strategic areas in the state will also be fumigated.

He noted that the ministry started the exercise with sensitization, (a process which he said is still on-going), adding that the proactive measures employed by the state government was in line with the state government’s policy thrust.

The commissioner, who monitored the exercise, said that the state government is always known for taking such preventive approaches, adding that similar proactive measure employed during the flood disasters experienced across the nation, saved the state from catastrophes.

Nani assured Deltans and the business community operating in the state of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s readiness to create a conducive environment for the enhancement of the growth and development of the state.

He expressed satisfaction with the exercise which began during late hours of Wednesday, after the close of the market with deratilization, a process which involves the introduction of poisonous substances in the premises of Ogbeogonogo Market.

The poisoning resulted in the death of many rats, rodents and cats in the premises, and to prevent what one of the experts in the fumigation industry handling the exercise, Mr. Benson Oluwashegun described as prevention of ‘secondary poisoning’ the fumigation exercise became inevitable.

The fumigation of the market, according to him, will kill the flies, in the process preventing them from spreading poisonous or harmful substances after visiting any leftover dead rat, adding that the ministry has put in place an effective measure to ensure the picking and effective disposal of some of the dead animals.