Delta Steps Up Preventive Measures Against Lassa Fever, Cholera Outbreak

By Francis Sadhere, Warri

The Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Delta State, Hon. Jamani Tommy Ejiro, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of Lassa fever and Cholera amidst recent outbreaks in the state.

In a bid to ensure public health safety, the Commissioner has directed the Food Hygiene Compliance Team to take stringent actions against hotels, restaurants, and food vendors operating in unhygienic conditions.

The directive was given on Saturday during the Delta State Environmental Sanitation Exercise.

Hon. Ejiro emphasized the importance of compliance with basic health measures, directing the team to clamp down on facilities that fail to meet the required standards.

Key requirements, according to him, include medical certificates of fitness for food handlers, fumigation certificates, certificates of continuous habitation, the implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans, proper waste management practices, tidy storage facilities, and the proper disposal of wastewater into public drains.

The Commissioner further instructed that any food production facility found to be non-compliant with the minimum environmental health standards should be sealed, and the operators prosecuted in accordance with relevant laws and regulations on food hygiene.

Speaking during the state’s monthly Environmental Sanitation exercise, Hon. Ejiro emphasized that the administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, will not tolerate any actions that endanger the health and wellbeing of residents.

He reiterated the state’s commitment to safeguarding public health through stringent enforcement of hygiene practices.

To ensure full compliance, the Commissioner gave a firm directive for the Food Hygiene Compliance Team to resume field operations on Monday (today), with the goal of achieving 100% adherence to the necessary health standards.

He stressed that the move was part of the state’s broader effort to preventing the spread of communicable diseases and protect residents from the ongoing public health threats.

“The enforcement measures are expected to bring a significant improvement in food safety and hygiene across the state, providing a safer environment for residents and visitors alike,” Hon Ejiro said.