By Emmanuel Elebeke

The Abuja Environmental Protection Agency, AEPA has ordered the fumigation of all estates in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT at least three times every year. AEPA explained that the directive was part of efforts to contain further outbreak of the dreaded Ebola virus disease, EVD.

The chairman of AEPA’s board, Mr. Sam Gbadebo disclosed this to Vanguard Homes & Property during a special training organised for staff of Samgee Continental Services Limited on facility and general management environmental enhancement services in Abuja.

He said the board was worried about the increasing activities of quacks in the sector, especially in the FCT and decided to issue the order in order to complement the effort of the Federal government in fighting the EVD and keeping Abuja clean.

Mr. Gbadebo, who is also the Managing Director, of Sangee said the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency had waged a war against quacks, after discovering that they (quacks) use fake and hazardous chemicals to fumigate peoples homes and offices.

“We are worried about quacks because they cannot provide good cleanliness, especially with this outbreak of Ebola. That is why the AEPA board itself has issued an order that all estates in the FCT must be fumigated three times in a year. ‘We are trying to identify certified practitioners. We know where the quacks are and we will soon begin trying them in court for illegal operation in the FCT. Efforts are also ongoing to sensitise the people on why they should not patronise quacks,” he said.

On the existing urban slums in the city, Gbadebo described them (slums) as a major contributor to the filthy environment of the city. He however noted that government is putting measures in place to address them by providing the inhabitants alternative locations before demolition.

“The Minister of FCT is planning to offer inhabitants of urban slums alternative accommodations before demolishing them because they do not have a place to stay now. In the next one month, the Minister will be talking to citizens on all these. The law has been there since inception. The AEPA is a regulatory body, that is why it deals with professionals and has decided to flush out quacks that have no addresses or means of identification, because they are silent killers,” he said.

Gbadebo said the agency has set up a team of sanitary inspectors that move around the city to inspect the environment.

On the training, he said the idea was to sensitize the staff of Samgee on the latest techniques and technology in the facility and environmental services delivery.

He said the company is determined at rendering professional services using hi-tech equipments and processes.