The Rivers State Gov
ernment has enjoined traders in markets across the state to maintain a clean environment to check the spreading of Ebola virus.
The commissioner for Environment, Dr Nyema Weli who said this at the Creek Road and Churchill Garri Market during the monthly environmental Sanitation Exercsie also warned the traders against poor handling of food items.
Dr Weli who was represented by the Director Environment Health and Safety in the ministry Dr Ugochukwu Nmegbu said that apart from bodily contact, the virus can also be spread through dirty environment.
He said that the visit was not to arrest and intimidate them, but to sensitise them in the need to keep the markets clean as well as avoid regular body contacts.
The commissioner particularly told traders at the Churchill garri market to be careful with the way they handle garri product to avoid its contamination.
Later in an interview with newsmen, Dr Weli said that the campaign to all public places including hotels, while homes will be menitored to ensure cleanliness.
“We will visit all the markets and public places to tell them to keep their environment clean, so that we will not catch Ebola,” he said.
The sanitation exercise was marred by low turnedout.
People were seen going about their normal businesses, while at the various markets visited no clean up was taking place.
Some of those who spoke to newsmen claimed of hearing an announcement on the Radio over the cancellation of the exercise from the Rivers State Waste Management Agency.