Zoomlion Ghana Limited has commenced a mass disinfestation and fumigation exercise across all 33 Municipal and District Assemblies in the Eastern Region, following recent floods that heightened concerns over waterborne and vector-borne diseases.
The exercise, which began on Friday, August 21, is expected to continue until September 30.
The initiative is being undertaken by Zoomlion’s Vector Control Unit in collaboration with the various assemblies as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts to help protect communities from disease outbreaks.
Markets, lorry parks and public facilities targeted
The mass spraying exercise is focusing on markets, lorry parks, public conveniences, refuse container sites and other public areas, particularly those affected by the rainy season and recent flooding.
The intervention is aimed at eliminating disease-causing organisms, controlling vectors and helping restore safer environmental conditions in affected communities.
It comes amid concerns over the potential spread of diseases including cholera, malaria and typhoid following flooding and environmental contamination.
Zoomlion explains reason for exercise
Speaking to the media at Agartha Market in Koforidua to officially kick-start the exercise, Eastern Regional Manager of Zoomlion, Cynthia Gbadago, said the intervention was necessary because of the impact of the recent floods on communities across the region.
She explained that the company had identified environmental contamination as a major concern and was undertaking the exercise as part of its CSR commitment to help make affected communities safer.
Mrs Gbadago said residents and traders, particularly market women, had already been educated on measures to take before and after fumigation.
She advised people to properly cover food and drinking water during the exercise and wait between four and six hours before re-entering fumigated areas.
She also urged residents to dispose of waste properly and avoid indiscriminate dumping, stressing that maintaining clean surroundings would be essential to preventing disease outbreaks.
Environmental authorities support exercise
Eastern Regional Environmental Officer Prince Osei Kissi commended Zoomlion for supporting the assemblies with the intervention.
He assured the company of continued support from his outfit as the exercise progresses across the region.
He said the collaboration would help create safer communities and reduce the risk of waterborne diseases following the floods.
Traders welcome fumigation
Traders at Agartha Market also welcomed the intervention.
Georgina Agbesi, a trader, expressed hope that the fumigation would help eliminate mosquitoes, cockroaches and rodents such as mice from the market.
Another trader, Afia Adutwumwaa, appealed for improved public conveniences and measures to prevent the market from flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
Both traders expressed appreciation to Zoomlion and the assemblies for undertaking the exercise.
The Eastern Region-wide operation is expected to continue through September 30, covering all 33 Municipal and District Assemblies.
