In an effort to tackle malaria, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has ordered Borno state Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA) for immediate evacuation of refuse heaps within the Maiduguri metropolis and its environs, as well as clearance of drainages in the state.
The General Manager of the Agency, Abubakar Suleiman, who disclosed this in an interview with Tribune Online in Maiduguri on Monday, said the evacuation of garbage as well as clearance of drainages is aimed towards the control of mosquito breedings against malaria outbreak.
According to the BOSEPA boss, the Governor had set up a committee of which he is a member to fumigate the entire state as the rainy season sets in for further control of malaria disease.
He noted that the committee is also saddled with the responsibility of clearance of drainages.
“The committee has begun the clearing of all waterways, drainages for free flow of water to avert stagnation of water which breeds mosquitoes in the environment.
“Governor Zulum recently approved the purchase of machinery for clearance of drainages in the Maiduguri metropolis and environs to control malaria. Once the refuse are cleared, the breeding ground for the mosquitoes have been cleared.
“We will disinfect the entire state and a lump sum of money has been approved for purchase of chemicals.”
On flood control as rainfall sets in in Borno, the Permanent Secretary, State’s Ministry of Environment, Mr Habib Goni, assured citizens that flooding would become a thing of history if people endeavour to follow the established guidelines to properly dispose of their refuse.
He warned residents to desist from dumping refuse in waterways, adding that enforcement would take effect immediately after the removal of silt from drainages.
The Permanent Secretary said: “The committee for flood control has been charged with the responsibility of flood situation in the state. I’m so proud the report has been received and none of them showed that there is a serious threat in parts of the state.
“But definitely, that is not going to close the fact that we have to make arrangements to have quick measures in case there is going to be flood in the state. But I know the committee has been up and doing, and I believe that anytime there is a problem, they have the capacity to handle the available resources in their possession.
“And then, other sister agencies like NEMA, SEMA, Red cross, volunteers among others are there in case of emergency,” he said.
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