FG begins disinfection of public schools, airports ahead of resumption

[Edoman]

FG begins disinfection of public schools, airports ahead of resumption







Ahead of the resumption of schools and aviation activities, the Federal government says it has begun the decontamination of school premises and is currently in talks with aviation workers for the appropriate decontamination for airports and aircraft.
 

This was disclosed by the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abubakar in an interview with Vanguard at the sideline of a news conference he held to mark the 2020 World Environment Day on Thursday, June 4. 
 
With particular reference to schools, the Minister said the decontamination of public schools is ongoing.

“We have started disinfection of schools. We have our presence in all the six geopolitical zones of the country. We are waiting for the additional response to accelerate the disinfection of schools,” he said.

 
Responding to a question on whether the decontamination will be extended to private schools, the Minister said private schools can hire only registered and licensed companies for the decontamination of their school premises.
 

“Usually, the first mandate is on the public schools. We will continue the disinfection exercise. I know many will hire people to do their decontamination and disinfection.


We are very okay with that but the only caveat is that they have to hire people that are registered and licensed by the Federal Ministry of Environment under the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria. Government, as you all know can not do everything at once but we are starting and we will move forward as we continue.”he said

 
Regarding the decontamination of airports, the Minister said his Ministry is currently liaising with officials in the Aviation sector to ensure they use the right chemical for the decontamination of airports and aircrafts so the exercise doesn't cause any safety breach. He also said parks, trains, and other public places have been scheduled for decontamination.

''For the airports, we have just concluded arrangements with the aircraft owners. Why we took that step is that aviation is a very sensitive sector where everything must be 100 percent,200 percent, and even 400 percent before aviation people can function. That is why you see some aircraft that have up to four engines so that when one stops, the others can function because up there, there is no parking space.

So we are working with them and they have chosen the chemicals that they believe can work well and not cause any safety breaches if the chemicals are applied to the aircraft and other certain areas.

We are going to disinfect parks, train stations, markets but for now these are the areas that we consider high-risk. The ministry is working towards all these because there are so many places to be contaminated.'' he said

 
No date has been fixed for the resumption of schools but five airports have been listed to reopen for domestic flights only, beginning from June 21.