Fumigation of Markets: Letter to Kwara COVID-19 Technical C’ttee

By: Oladimeji Suleiman and Olasupo Abideen

Dear Committee,

Passionate Appeal on the fumigation of Kwara Markets.

We sincerely want to appreciate you for being proactive towards saving the lives of Kwaran. The measures taken so far has once again demonstrated your jealous passion for the people who voted you into office. Kudos.

Sir, we humbly wish to call your attention to the fact that fumigating the market places at this precious time may not be an economically viable option and hazardously dangerous to the masses.

This is owing to the fact that the practise has proven to be of little or no risk in the advanced country where such was practised. Looking at the structure of all our markets in Kwara, most perishable and eatable goods are always wrapped in nylons and placed on the floor.

Fumigating market with such provision may lead to poisoning and as well spoil the product, consequently, leaving the poor market men/women at a loss.

At this try time, we shouldn’t inflict more pain on some categories of people while trying to safe others.

Sincerely, if we have airborne diseases at our market places, no doubt, it would have been transferred home since the locked down began, hence, what is the rationale behind it?

We implore the committee to always gather public opinion on issues before embarking on it, so that the meagre resources available will be used judiciously.

Lastly, may I refer you to an opinion by a medical expert “I actually don’t understand the objectives/ goals of the Public Health Physicians, Environmentalists or whoever that’s advising the government on the issue of fumigation or disinfection thats erroneously going on in many states in Nigeria.

As at now, there is no history/rumour/ report of any environmental contamination nil community transmission of COVID-19 or any other communicable diseases in any state or community in Nigeria.

It’s not enough to watched countries like China, Italy, Spain etc fummigating/disinfecting their roads, markets, offices and then jumped up to be spraying chemicals everywhere in our cities without understanding the basis for their action. ”

Oladimeji Suleiman & Olasupo Abideen
1/4/2020.