Some residents of Port Harcourt, including market traders have voiced their approval of the State government’s initiative in decontaminating strategic places in order to further prevent many from the jaws of ravaging covid-19.
It would be recalled, that, among other pro-active measures by the Rivers State government, decontamination of strategic places including markets, churches, police stations and others was flagged off recently by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in Port Harcourt.
Reacting to the move by the state government, a lab scientist and lecturer, Mr. Gentle Abraham stated that the Rivers State government’s efforts at combacting the coronavirus pandemic ranked as one of the most commendable in the country.
He said that decontamination exercise will among other things promote a healthy environment, most especially as the world anxiously awaits the post-COVID-19 era.
Mr. Abraham said that the target locations for the exercise were thoroughly thought out, saying that the market places, most especially have become a safe haven for the harvest of microbial which is antithetical to a safe and healthy environment. He pointed out that the outbreak of COVID-19 world over has reminded everyone of the need to step up hygiene for safe and healthy living.
According to him, without moves by the state government, majority of the markets in the state would have remained unattended to and left shabby.
He stated that, decontamination of the market and other public places remained one of the best decisions ever taken in the state. He noted that most public places in developed world are sometimes fumigated to decontaminate their environment.
He appealed to the Rivers State government not to relent in its efforts to sanitize the state, among other measures despite criticisms in some quarters.
Also speaking, Madam Clarice Otu, a trader at Mile Three Market, commended Governor Wike for coming up with a good idea to rid the market of bacteria through the decontamination exercise.
She was of the opinion that when COVID-19 is over, many will return to the markets safer and with more confidence in the environment in which they operate.
She called for support for the state government in its efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Madam Clarice also appealed to the leadership of major markets in the state to take a cue from the state government by ensuring periodic fumigation of the markets.
She used the opportunity to ask for the intervention of the state government through introduction of interest-free loans to traders in the state, regardless of their tribe.
She stressed that this will help beneficiaries cope with the challenges of facing life after the pandemic.
Similarly a student at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Miss Sandra Nwajuba has commended the Rivers State government for its efforts to decontaminate strategic places in the state.
She appealed for the extension of the exercise to cover higher institutions of learning in the state, most especially the male and female hostels to ensure a more healthy learning environment for those staying on campus.
