The Ogun State government on Saturday in Abeokuta announced precautionary measures to prevent a possible outbreak of cholera in the state amid reported cases in several states in the country.

The Special Adviser to the state governor, Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, in a statement said that the governor was concerned about the development.

He stated, “We have to take action in view of the need to protect the people in the state, considering the proximity to Lagos and the degree of interactions between the two states.’’

Mr Akinmade said that precautionary measures had been put in place especially as the Sallah holiday approaches.

He reeled out the measures as including the directive on toilets, stipulating that houses must have toilets.

“Any house without a toilet should identify a room to be converted to a toilet. Residents are given three to six months of grace for compliance. All petrol stations must have functional public toilets with running water as part of their corporate social responsibilities. All garages, parks, markets and mechanic villages must have functional toilets with running water. All schools (public and private) should have public toilets with running water,” he said.

Mr Akinmade added that, in addition to these measures, residents were advised to drink only safe water which is either boiled or chlorinated.

He also advised proper hand-washing with soap after each toilet visit and before handling food, just as all fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly with safe water.

The governor’s aide further noted that the government advised that foods should be cooked properly.

”Also, people should endeavour to buy and eat only food that is hot and cooked with water from reliable sources.”

Mr Akinmade assured that the ministry of environment would see to the strict compliance of all the measures as violators would be made to face the wrath of law accordingly.

(NAN)