...reassures citizens of continuos decontamination of all public places

By Emma Akpabio

Moved by the reality that highly-contagious disease such as COVID-19, if not properly handled, could pose a great health danger in the society, Akwa Ibom State Government through her waste Management Agency, has called for proper disposal of medical wastes, adding that at this critical time, no defaulter of environmental laws will be spared.

The Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and waste Management Agency(AKSEPWMA) Obong Prince Ikim, gave the advise on Monday, April 20, 2020, while addressing newsmen shortly after the decontamination exercise at General Hospital Iquita, Oron.

Ikim while fielding questions from journalists noted that "in moments like this where the whole world is grabbling with the scourge of COVID-19, all hands must be on deck to fight the spread of this deadly disease. All health institutions as a preventive measure, must ensure proper disposal of medical wastes, especially the infectious ones."

"All materials, including personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used for the purpose of treatment of COVID-19 are considered to be infectious wastes which needs high level of proper disposal. Most importantly, the receptacles containing these infectious wastes must be securely closed and protected to avoid viral spread of the contaminated articles." Ikim added.

In a similar development, the Waste Management Boss while speaking on the ongoing decontamination exercise, described it as one of the Strategies adopted by Governor Udom Emmanuel's led administration in tackling the global pandemic occasioned by Corona Corona Virus. According to Ikim, "the phase one of the exercise which started in Eket with major concentration in Hospitals, Markets, Churches, Hotels, schools and other public places will be extended to all the nooks and crannies of the three Senatorial Districts across the State."

On his part, the Chairman of infection Prevention and control pillar of the incident management committee of Akwa Ibom State COVID-19 response, Dr Ini Etukudoh at Press time, reiterated that the exercise was not fumigation but surfaces decontamination of High human traffic public places against COVID-19.

He called on the general public to obey the restriction order of the State Government, maintain social distancing, wash hands regularly as well as use hand sanitizers as measures against the spread of the Virus.

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