The North-East Development Commission has embarked on fumigating major drainages in Maiduguri town to contain mosquitoes and other pests.

The fumigation was flagged off along Circular Road in Maiduguri by NEDC’s head of environment, Adamu Lawan. He said the fumigation exercise was the second phase of the environmental programmes embarked upon by the commission for the season.

Mr Lawan said the first phase last week was desilting the drainages to facilitate the free flow of water to contain flooding.

According to him, fumigation and other sprays will kill dangerous insects like mosquitoes and their larvae and disinfect the areas for the next four months.

He reiterated the commitment of NEDC to hygiene and a clean environment to prevent outbreaks of diseases associated with the rainy season. He urged residents to always observe proper sanitation to sustain the tempo.

Residents of circular roads and other areas being fumigated lauded the commission’s initiative, describing it as timely and a big relief.

“The major things now are flood and mosquito as well as the threat of outbreaks like cholera and malaria associated with this season.

“We are happy with the initiative and want to thank NEDC and all those concerned for the foresight in the evacuation of drainages and fumigation,” Bukar Kurama, a community leader, said.

(NAN)