With Ghana’s case count rising each day, government has stepped up its efforts at containing the spread of the virus with the start of the second phase of the market disinfection exercise.
The exercise which kick-started in the Greater Accra region where 137 markets were disinfected by waste management experts ZOOMLION is expected to be done across the country.
Addressing the media at the end of the exercise at the Dome Market Local Government and Rural Development Minister Hajia Alima Mahama disclosed that the exercise is estimated to cost government between 60 and 70 million cedis as all major markets across the country will be disinfected.
She said, ‘government is committed to ensure we tackle the spread of the virus so we are going to do this at all major markets. This time we have added public toilets to the program so all public toilets will be disinfected and fumigated by ZOOMLION”.
Hajia Alima praised the market women for their cooperation and urged them to support government’s efforts in fighting the disease.
She said, “we appreciate your cooperation and support so far but I will like to urge you to also contribute your qouta by at least helping but tissue, sanitizers and soap so that we can all fight this virus”.
Okaikoi North MCE clashes with sprayers
The exercise at the Abeka Market in the Okaikoi North Municipality was nearly halted when the MCE for the area Boye Laryea tried stopping the exercise.
The MCE who had through the NADMO Coordinator tried to postpone the exercise to next week but failed angrily stormed the Abeka Market shouting, “Am in charge here and what I say is final. Is this the only place you can spray?”, but the ZOOMLION staff stood their ground and insisted that the exercise continued.
His argument for trying to stop the exercise was that, traders at the Abeka Market had pleaded to have the exercise postponed because they had already bought some perishable goods and that leaving them for another day will see them make loses.
However Starr News checks with some of the traders revealed that though some of their colleagues had met the MCE, they were ready to comply with the directives to shut down until the exercise was over.
Accra Mayor reacts to Okaikoi North MCE
Reacting to the incident at a separate location, Accra Mayor Mohammed Sowah expressed disappointment and stressed that no one had the right to disobey a presidential order.
“If he has done that then am disappointed because this is a presidential order and no one must disobey. He should remember we are not in normal times hence everyone must comply with the directive.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Musa Lansa
