Hon Michael Tidi, Warri South Council Chairman, (right), his vice, Hon Ann Iniovosa (middle) and his entourage during the tour of main market, Warri on Friday.

…urges Deltans to embrace Okowa’s peace effort

By Francis Sadhere, Warri

Following the outbreak of Lassa Fever in the country, the Warri South Council Chairman, Hon Micheal Tidi on Friday took the Lassa fever awareness campaign to markets in Warri South to sensitize the people on the need to keep the markets clean.

Hon Tidi together with his Vice, Hon Ann Iniovosa and his entourage who went round Main Market, one of the big markets in Warri South, to inspect the level of hygiene in the markets also called on Deltans to embrace Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s peace efforts.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection tour, Hon Tidi said, “With the outbreak of Lassa fever in the country we thought it wise to come to the market to inspect the market and see how hygienic the place is. We are also looking at how we can improve the hygiene conditions of the market.

“We are also here to take proper statistics of the number of stores in the market. Recently there have been a lot fire incidence in the market so we have to know the number of stores allotted to people. From what we have observed here today, the stores are too compacted and this is not good for the market.”

Hon Tidi during the unscheduled visit interacted with the Main market managers, enlightening them on the need to keep the markets clean and tidy for easy asses of goods and services.

At the market, Hon Tidi expressed his displeasure over sanitary condition of the toilet he saw in the market, saying he will set up a committee to look into the matter.

“You can see that we have gone round the market and we are talking to the market masters and we are educating them on the need for them to keep the market clean. You can see the condition of the only toilet in the market and it’s not too good,” Hon Tidi added.

To those who erected extensions in the front of their stores blocking space and making the roads narrow, Hon Tidi ordered them to remove the extensions with immediate effect.

“For space for ambulances to come into the market in case of fire outbreak, the council is going to set up a committee to take a look at it and look for ways to remove some of the extensions in the market. If there is need we are also going to demolish any illegal structures we find in the market because it is very vital that people use only the space allotted to them,” Hon Tidi said.

Hon Tidi who noted that peaceful co-existence between all tribes in Warri was essential for development of the council area, enjoined residents of the council to embrace one another and be united as one indivisible body.

“We should deepen the bond of peaceful existence among all the tribes in Warri because we are all one. We should also embrace the peace efforts of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.