Cholera Outbreak: Ogunlade tasks companies, hostels, factories on daily sanitation in Ogbomoso North LG
..As Task Force set for inspection across wards
In an effort to prevent the spread of the cholera outbreak in Oyo state, the Executive chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government, Hon. George Ogunlade has tasked companies, hostels and factories on daily sanitation in a bid to curb spread.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, the Council boss mentioned that he had been regularly notified about certain enterprises’ careless attitude towards maintaining a clean environment, which posed a great danger to people living around their areas.
Warning that any erring companies, hostels or factories that failed to comply with the strict measures provided by Oyo state government against Cholera outbreak would be shut down, the Chairman added that the Council will continue to raise awareness and sensitise the public about the consequences of noncompliance.
MOUTHPIECE NGR reports that the number of cases of cholera, a waterborne disease, has increased recently across several part of southwest Nigeria, including Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo. As a result, health officials in the afflicted states have been forced to act quickly.
Hon. Ogunlade, who equally warned the public against drinking contaminated or untreated water in their neighborhood also stressed the need to ensure that foods are prepared with proper hygiene.
He pleaded with pure water factories to make sure that their water is safe to drink and that there are no high levels of microbial count and coliform.
The chairman, however, frowned at unsanitary behaviours of some water retail outlets who sold water to unsuspected members of public under unhygienic conditions and noted that water reservoirs used by many borehole water outlets and unsafe.
He added that a task force from the council will begin to visit and inspect water factories, companies and hostels to ensure that clean and safe environment is maintained.
He stated: “After the cholera was first reported approximately a week ago, His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde demonstrated proactive and practical leadership by allocating the required expertise towards its containment. We must commend him for this.
“In addition, the state ministry of health has done an outstanding job of sensitising the public to the deadly disease and appropriately containing the number of cases that have been reported.
“This is not just the government’s business; it is everyone’s business. If we don’t agree on this course of action, we might be working against each other, and we need everyone’s support to avoid that. Therefore, I must issue a strong warning to those who run factories, businesses, hostels, and other establishments to uphold appropriate hygiene and make sure their surroundings are clean.
“We are pleading with the good people of Ogbomoso North Local Government to make sure that food is prepared hygienically and to refrain from drinking untreated or contaminated water.
“Thus, always promptly and appropriately notify the appropriate authorities of any cholera symptom in your area. There’s nothing to be ashamed or afraid of; it’s a public health emergency, so don’t try to hide it. “To make sure that our town is a safe and healthy place to live, a task force from the local government will be visiting and inspecting factories, hostels, and companies, among others.”