The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through the Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML), has commenced fumigation exercise in all its markets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to avoid the outbreak of Lassa fever and other diseases.
Commencing the fumigation exercise in Wuse Market, which is one of the popular markets in central Abuja, spokesman of the market authority, Innocent Amaechina, said the exercise would be replicated in all market facilities managed by them.
He explained that to take away the rodents, they embarked on an exercise with the use of rodenticide and bread crumbs mixed with bait which are capable of eliminating rats.
They equally fumigated all gutters, drainage, cracks and corners, especially the informal sector where food stuff are sold.
Rats, he said, are attracted to food stuff, so they used controlled fumigation for the safety of the food items.
Amaechina, who monitored the exercise, told newsmen that emergency preparedness is part of their routine duty as the market managers, but that this year’s exercise has coincided with Lassa Fever epidemic in parts of the country.
His words: “I want you to know that at this time of the year, we have always carried out this fumigation exercise. It is just a coincidence that it is happening now when there is a loud cry about sensitisation on Lassa Fever and coronavirus infections.
“But for us facility management body, emergency preparedness is part of our routine duty. So, just as we prepare for fire, we also prepare for epidemics. So, we don’t wait for it to happen before we go into action, we have been doing this at intervals, at least minimum of two times every year”.
Amaechina revealed that the market managers also uses every available opportunity to sensitise the market users, especially the traders on how to maintain hygiene in the market, adding that the fumigation exercise would be conducted in all its 15 markets managed by them in the territory.
He hoped that other market managers in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, (AMAC) will key in and do same in their markets.
Also speaking, Ismaila Haruna Dankogi, of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), maintained that residents of the FCT have no need to worry about any outbreak of Lassa Fever, because the board has always been involved in the routine cleaning markets and other places.
Dankogi advised residents to imbibe the culture of cleanliness because it is a way of life.
Responding, the Secretary of Wuse Market Traders Association, Alhaji Abubakar Dangara, said that the association has been sensitising their members, especially those in the informal sector of the market on how to wash their table on a daily basis and how to clean the environment to ensure that whatever they sell is safe for public consumption.
The cleaning of the market and it fumigation took place at night to kill the rodents and prevent future habitation.