By UCHE NWOSU, Umuahia

As part of the efforts by the Abia State government to forestall the emergence of the COVID-19 in the state, the state government on Monday fumigated some major markets, institutions and government offices in Umuahia, the state capital and Aba the commercial nerve centre of the state.

The exercise that continues tomorrow, Tuesday March 14, will last for three days.

The areas covered includes International Conference Centre, State Secretariat and government offices, private and public schools. The roads are Aba, Akanu Ibiam, Azikiwe, BCA roads etc.

Similarly, the fumigation team in charge of the commercial city of Aba also visited some markets such as Ariaria, Cemetery, Ngwa Road, Ezukwu etc with their motorized Fire Service trucks as well as some hand controlled machines where they doused the places with hydrocarbon chemicals, a chemical that reportedly kills the virus.

In an interview, the state Commissioner for Environment and member of the state COVID-19, Dr Solomon Ogunji, explained that places such as Stadia, motorparks etc were also targeted.

The exercise, he said, will last for three days; even he warned residents of the state to remain indoors as the fumigation team carried out its assignment, describing the chemical as highly toxic.

The Abia Environment Commissioner maintained that the chemical is harmful, pointing out that to be free from its harmful effect, residents of the state, particularly those suffering from some health harzards should avoid the fumigated environment for at least 24 hours.

The Executive Secretary, Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Chinagorom Adindu, who was also part of the team, disclosed that 120 environmental health officials were involved in the exercise.

He commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for giving the approval for the exercise to commence and explained that the fumigation team will ensure that major parts of the state including some markets, health centres and schools in rural areas are covered. (Daily Independent)