The President of the Association, Samuel Akingbehin, told the News Agency of Nigeria that his association carried out the exercise at Onigongbo, Oshodi, Oke-Odo, Ikotun Idanwo, Ojuwoye and Mile 12 Markets.
Akingbehin said that de-rating the markets was part of the association’s efforts to curb the spread of Lassa fever in the state, adding: “the exercise is strategic in our effort toward the prevention of communicable diseases.”
Akingbehin appealed to traders from across the state to show an understanding toward the efforts of the association to rid the markets of rats and rodents.
He said that the plan was to de-rat markets in one local government area per day, starting from 5pm.
Akingbehin said: “We also decided to put the exercise in the evening due to the nocturnal nature of rodents and our members had recorded successes in the markets visited till date.
“It took us about three hours to cover the Oshodi Market when our members went there for the exercise.
“Today, Monday, we will be visiting Suru-Alaba Market in Orile-Ifelodun LCDA by 5pm with about 400 EHOs to de-rat it. We are still calling on all other executive secretaries of the local government areas to assist us toward the elimination of rodents in our markets and our environments.”
The association decided on this time to allow traders and buyers transact their legitimate businesses.
Lassa fever has so far killed no fewer than 76 out of over 200 cases that have been reported in 17 out of the 36 states of the federation. [myad]
