The Kosofe Local Council in Lagos State has begun fumigation of markets, bus stops, Primary Health Centres (PHC) , drain channels and other places within the council.

The Chairman of the council, Mr Afolabi Sofolabi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday that the fumigation was to complement the government’s efforts to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

He spoke while fielding questions from newsmen on the directive by the Federal Government (FG) to lockdown Lagos as a measure to check the spread of COVID-19, starting from 11.00 pm on Monday, March 30, 2020.

“This is part of efforts by the council to complement what the state government is doing to check the spread of COVID-19 in the area.

“The fumigation started on Monday in Mende area. Health officials of the council are the ones carrying out the operation which will cover 13 streets in each ward.

“Our strategy is to fumigate 13 streets in each ward of the area. We will also sensitise people. We are creating drain channels and removing refuse to guard against Lassa fever.

“We will return to the wards again after the first exercise has gone round and will cover all markets, public health centres, drainages, bus stops and streets.

“Kosofe council is one of the centres in Lagos to attend to anyone identified with the virus so, we have provided a building on Ogudu Road where we can quarantine people within Kosofe zone.

“There are areas we cover in Lagos State for COVID-19. If anyone within these areas is found to have the virus, our officials with their kits will move in and bring the person to our centre,’’ he said.

The council boss advised residents of Kosofe to be patient and adhere to the government’s directives of regular washing of hands with soap and clean running water, sanitising the hands always and maintaining social distance.

Sofolabi, however, was not pleased with people gathering and playing football, noting that the virus could be contacted through this process.

The Ojota-Ikorodu Expressway was partially free of vehicles, except with the movement of tankers conveying fuel and articulated vehicles carrying food and cows into Lagos

Some private vehicles were on the road, while some commercial buses popularly known as ‘Danfo’ were seen carrying people from Mile 12 to Ojuelegba without any hindrance.

Also, shops and markets at Ojota were under lock and key. However, the streets and market were turned to football fields by some young men, while the Police and Neighbourhood Watch Officials were on patrol in the area.

Meanwhile, members of the public who spoke to NAN had different views on the lockdown of Lagos for 14 days by the FG.

While some commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s directives, others said adequate notice should have been given.

Mr Ismail Dauda, an IronBender, lamented lack of money and food for the period as he had short time to rally round for resources to stock food in the house for his family.

A Tricycle Operator at Ojota bus stop, Mr Frank Odeh said that the order was commendable but that government should have given a minimum of three to five days notice for people to get food and other necessities.

He said that enlightenment about the virus was weak at the grassroots and called on the government to assist the poor with daily food as most depended on what they make on a day-to-day basis to feed their families.

Another resident, Mr Chris Eze, a Businessman, said that medical personnel with kits to test people for the virus should go with security patrolling all areas to test members of the public that desired such test.

Eze also advised the government to use the period and lessons of COVID-19 pandemic to put the health sector in Nigeria in order.

NAN