GOVT PROBES IBADAN CHOLERA OUTBREAK

IBADAN - FIFTY houses in the six areas of Ibadan North West Local Government Area in Oyo State, where an outbreak of cholera claimed four lives, while 16 others are receiving treatment  have no toilets, even as the state government says it has risen to curtail the epidemic.

Most residents of areas like Abebi, Ekotedo and Idi Ikan defecate in gutters and other places as feaces and other dirt littered the areas.

According to the Caretaker Chairman of the council, Mr. Wasiu Olatunbosun who paid an on-the-spot-assessment visit to areas yesterday, the epidemic was caused purely by the unhygienic attitude of the people living in the areas.

He noted that apart from other measures put in place to check the spread of the epidemic, anybody who flouted environmental law in the areas would henceforth be prosecuted.

Mr. Olatunbosun said, 'When we got there today, they were hiding not wanting to disclose to us that the epidemic affected them. But, I directed that all their wells should be chlorinated. Besides, we will sink borehole in strategic places there to provide potable water for the people of the areas to drink. We thank God that the epidemic has been effectively checked.  We saw only one casualty. In fact, about 50 houses we visited do not have toilets. Some wrapped excreta in a cellophane bag and dropped it at their entrances. It is very unhygienic. We will continue to charge those who flout environmental laws to court'

Also, the state government said it had taken measures to arrest the situation.

A statement by Mr. Festus Adedayo, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said that the governor had immediately directed the new Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulateef Olopoenia, to visit the affected areas, ascertain the claims in order to curtail its spread.