Enugu Government moves against COVID-19

Maurice Okafor

Under the directive of the state government, the state Fire Service, the agency responsible for fighting and controlling Fire outbreaks in the state, in the next one month or there about will be seriously engaged with the task of decontamination and fumigationn of various markets and other public outlets in the state against corona virus disease spread.

The task which is already in progress is part of proactive measures adopted by the Governor Ugwuanyi led administration to prevent spread of corona virus in the state. Enugu state is taking after Lagos state in the use of fumigation exercise strategy.

the next one month.This time around they are not be fighting against fire break.Instead against Corona virus disease.

The commencement of the fumigation exercise started on Wednesday April 1, at Ogbete Main market and was obserserved by the state Governor,Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi,accompanied by some members of the state executive council. Ogbete Main market is the biggest market in Enugu state and contributes immensely to socio economic growth of the state.The action was extended to the Shoprite mall along Abaaliki road and Old Artizan market both in Enugu metropolis, the same day.

Reports revealed that the State Fire service has continued with the decontamination and fumigation exercises within Enugu metropolis thereafter and plans to move into Nsukka Urban within this week.

The Team leader,Engr Okwudili Ohaa,who is equally the state chief fire officer told newsmen that his agency will adopt the strategy of conducting the exercise at lete evening to reduce distractions and inconvenience from members of the public, in as much as the the solution is not harmful to human beings.

Further checks revealed that Enugu state is among the few States in the country that had adopted the fumigation/decontamination proactive approach against COVID-19 spread. Lagos state is seemingly the first.

Also as part of efforts to control spread of corona virus disease in the state,Governor Ugwuanyi on Wednesday, April 1, gave order for the conversion of the Enugu Diasgnostic center into an isolation ceter. Governor Ugwuanyi dropped the hints as he paid an ushedulled visit to the center. He equally paid a visit to Nsukka on same day,where he directed for the establishment of another isolation center at GRA Nsukka.

The establishment of isolation centers at Enugu Diagnosis center and GRA Nsukka brings the total number of isolation center in the state to four.The already existing two are at Park lane Teaching hospital and The Colliery hospital both in Enugu.

It was gathered the state government is also planning to plant an isolation center at the underutilized Nigeria Civil defence training camp at Achi,in Oji River local government area of Enugu state, in readiness for treatment of CONVID -19 cars from the area and her other neighbouring town,whenever it arises.

Initially, Governor Ugwuanyi through Friday March 27, has ordered for the closure of all public institutions in the state,ordering the state civil servants to work from home except for those on essential duties. He further ordered for the closure of markets and boarders with neighbouring states as from 6pm Tuesday March 31.The commercial bus drivers were targed not to carry more than two passengers per row. The state police command and other security agencies were given the task to enforce compliance.

So far,the proven cases of CONVID -19 victims in the state has rem!ained two.The permanent secretary to the State Ministry of Health,Dr Ifeanyi Agujiobi revealed that the patients returned from abroad and conscientiously reported for test by themselves. He disclosed that the victims are a couple but is yet to mention their names.