During a recent meeting, the Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Jamani Tommy Ejiro provided updates on the cholera outbreak and the steps being taken to address it from an environmental standpoint.
Jamani said the ministry is taking steps to address the environmental factors contributing to the spread of the disease.
According to him, the ministry is conducting inspections of facilities that produce food and water, such as bakeries, eateries, and water factories. They are checking these facilities for compliance with hygiene standards. The ministry is closing down any facilities that are found to be unhygienic and issuing notices to others, asking them to make necessary improvements.
Alongside these inspections, the ministry is also working to educate market vendors on the importance of cleanliness and hygiene. This is part of a broader public health initiative to prevent the spread of diseases, including Lassa fever, he pointed out.
The meeting also highlighted the collaboration between the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Water Resources. Together, they are addressing the cholera outbreak, which has now affected 8 local government areas and resulted in 7 deaths.
The key action items from the meeting include:
- Continue to inspect food and water production facilities to ensure they meet hygiene standards.
- Issuing notices to non-compliant facilities, requiring them to make improvements.
- Conducting sensitization campaigns in markets and educating vendors on cleanliness and hygiene.
- Preparing a joint press release with the Ministry of Health to update the public on the cholera situation.
“The Ministry of Environment is working diligently to address the environmental factors contributing to the cholera outbreak and prevent the further spread of the disease in the state,” Jamani stated.
