Public Places Fumigation: Key Needs and Issues Nigerians Want Lagos to Address

From February 28, 2020, the date the first case of Coronavirus was reported in Nigeria, to March 28, 2020, the Lagos State Government under the leadership of governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has made frantic efforts to contain the spread of the disease. A number of strategic steps and measures have been taken towards the reduction of the virus that has claimed thousands of lives and hospitalised over 500,000. 

Majority of the steps and measures have been initiated and executed in collaboration with other stakeholders in the private and public sectors. From the captain of industries to the philanthropists, the state government has received and still getting a number of supports in monetary and material terms. The state government recently took delivery of disinfectant equipment as part of governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s aggressive efforts to combat the virus in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial city and gateway to West African countries.

The fumigation machines have been deployed to every part of the metropolis and being used for sterilization of public surfaces. Knowcovid-19 Nigeria analysed public views that trailed the step -fumigation of public places in the state and found that the majority of the people who expressed their feelings about the action appreciated governor Sanwo-Olu and called for equality in the exercise. According to them, some parts of the state should not be prioritised over others. 

“Thanks Mr Governor, but I have a reservation and a warning, let it not be that it is only Ikeja, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, Aja and Banana Island that the government officials pay attention to. The virus is not a respecter of status, space or time. Cleanse all Lagos from Mowe to Badagry, Akute to Epe. Clean all local governments and streets. That’s my advice,” one of the people who follow the state government’s Facebook said.

Commenting on the need to train and equip the fumigants, and the residents with necessary facilities and information, another follower states that “Next is to quickly train the end-users and equip them with the recommended personal protective equipment to resume the exercise. Most importantly, the safety data sheet of the fumigants to be used should be risk assessed to ensure there are no significant health hazards on the citizens or the environment. Where hazards with insignificant impact values are documented, the recommended mitigations should be applied, including further sensitization of the people to remove all edible foodstuff usually displayed outside. I want to believe no one is displaying foodstuff for sale right now within the state. Factors like weather and wind speed and direction must be monitored prior to its application to retain the efficacy of chemicals. God bless and keep you and all our citizens living in Lagos State.”