Delta Trains 100 Food Vendors On Hygiene

The Delta Ministry of Health says it has trained more than 100 food vendors in the state on the common principles of hygiene.

Dr Minnie Oseji, Director, Primary Healthcare and Disease Control in the ministry, told newsmen in Asaba, that the training was to ensure safety of the people.

Oseji said about 40 of them were trained in Asaba with 50 in Warri.

“You know that as Nigeria is advancing towards westernised culture, we have people who, because of their challenging schedule, have to eat out.

“And, in as much as we eat this food for nourishment, there is also the need to be careful because food and water can be sources of infection if not properly handled.

“And so, our senior environmental health officers mobilised participants and got experts to do a training in Asaba and Warri, and this is just a start.’’

Oseji said if the government could continue with the enlightenment annually, with time, every cook and food vendor in the state would learn the basic principles of food hygiene.

Meanwhile more than N650 million was realised at the foundation stone laying and fund raiser for the permanent palace of the Asagba of Asaba.

Newsmen reports that the chief launcher, Chief Uche Okpunor, pledged N585 million for the project.

The event was part of the week-long activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the coronation of the Asagba, Prof. Chike Edozien.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, who laid the foundation stone, pledged N2 million for the project.

He urged indigenes of Asaba to ensure that the palace was completed within the specified period.

Uduaghan, who was represented by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Victor Ochei, noted that the palace was a great challenge to the people of Asaba.

He urged them to allow the dream of building the palace to be realised, while also congratulating the monarch on the throne.

Earlier, the Asagba said the project was important to him, adding that when he ascended the throne in 1991, he realised that there was no permanent palace for the Asagba.

“This prompted me in deciding to build a permanent palace for the next Asagba who will take over from me when I pass on to meet my ancestors and this project will be for three years.’’

He called on the indigenes to rise to their responsibility in ensuring that the project was completed.

Edozien commended the state government for initiating developmental projects in the state capital, especially the ongoing Asaba International Airport.

According to him, when the airport and the dredging of River Niger projects are completed, Asaba will become a commercial city.

The Oba of Benin and the Oba of Lagos, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra and top federal and state government functionaries attended the ceremony.