Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau on Friday launched a one-week fumigation exercise in Plateau, as part of activities to combat COVID-19 in the state.
Speaking at the event on Friday at Terminus Market in Jos metropolis, the governor said that the gesture was one of the several steps taken by Plateau governnment to combat the spread of the disease and urged cooperation of the people for its success.
“During this period, the entire state will be fumigated. All public places such as markets, streets, offices premises among others will be fumigated,
” Let me again appeal to all citizens to abide by the lockdown directive in order to make the work of law enforcement officers easier. We do not want to hear of ugly cases of harsh enforcement.
“he said.
“In addition to the fumigation, the lockdown will also help us reduce any tendency for inter-State transfer of the disease and enable us respond appropriately to any suspected case and contact tracing.
“We shall be getting a Testing Centre here in Plateau State in the coming days, which will also boost our capacity to identify any case faster,” he said.
The governor on Monday, directed a lockdown in the state, with effect from midnight Thursday, April 9 Wednesday April 15 to enable the governnment conduct a statewide fumigation exercise.
He appealed for patience and understanding from Plateau people, explaining that even though Christians were celebrating good Friday globally, the exercise became imperative following the urgency of prompt action.
He charged Christians to use use Easter as a solemn period to pray for mercy and deliverance against the pandemic, while also urging Muslims brethren to offer solemn Zuhur Prayers in their homes for God’s intervention in the pandemic.
The governor thanked religious, traditional,political and community leaders and their followers for their cooperation and understanding at the critical period.
He said Government would soon roll out palliative measures to assist the weak and vulnerable in the state, saying the situation would soon end for normalcy to return.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commisioner of environment, Mr Usman Idi said the fight against COVID-19 was multi faceted, saying the exercise was to de-contaminate the environment.
He said the gesture was to rid the environment off of any contamination, saying COVID-19 has killed millions globally.
Also in her remarks, Dr Susan Bentu, the General Manager of Agricultural Services and Training Centre (ASTC) said the preventive measure would also kill germs, pests and viruses .
She said ASTC saddled with the responsibility of fumigating the state would discharge the responsibility effectively, saying that the efficacy of the chemicals would last for one month.
