Dan Atori
Despite the announcement by the Federal Government that it had been able to contain the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease, the Niger State Government on Thursday said all plans have been concluded to begin sensitization to markets and Almajiri schools across the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mallam Danladi Ndayebo, told The Eagle Online in Minna, the state capital, that the awareness was to strengthen the state government’s commitment to hygiene and environmental sanitation.
Ndayebo said: “Currently, the state Ministry of Health has set up a rapid response team in case of any outbreak in the state.
We have also made provisions for a quarantine centre in the state capital and also one containment centre in each senatorial zone.
“We are working closely with Emirs, District and Village heads to create awareness on EVD.
“I can assure you that by next week, we will begin the use of Public Address Systems that will go round the markets.”
Ndayebo stated that the state government was working closely with Market Associations in ensuring strict adherence to safety standards so the EVD does not gain grounds in the state.
Also, the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education, Alhaji Shuaibu Baba Adamu, said the state was abiding by the October 13 resumption date for primary and secondary schools, both private and public, by the Federal Government to avoid the spread of the disease.
Adamu said at a post state executive council briefing in the Government House that students will not be allowed into their schools until after thermometers are acquired and used to test them as from October 13.