Kogi residents cautioned against outbreak of cholera, diarrhoea

Residents of Kogi state have been cautioned against indiscriminate dumping of solid waste in drainages and water channels to allow free flow of water to prevent the outbreak of water borne diseases in Kogi state.

Special Adviser to Kogi state government on Environment and Physical Development, Barrister Ladi Jatto, who gave the warning yesterday in Lokoja, while speaking with newsmen, said there was the need for residents to keep their environment clean in order to avoid outbreak of cholera and diarrhoea in the state.

She said indiscriminate dumping of solid waste in drainages and water channels would not allow free flow of water, thereby resulting in water borne diseases and flooding.
Ladi pointed out that with the warmer than normal temperature predicted by Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), residents should try as much as possible to adequately ventilate their homes to prevent an outbreak of meningitis, particularly in children.
Jato, however, urged farmers in the state to plant drought resistant and early maturing crops in view of the low rain predicted by NIMET, noting that early maturing crops would be ready for harvest within the period of the rainy season.

The special adviser said NIMET had predicted that the total length of rainy season for 2014 in Kogi state would be 210 days, and urged farmers to be mindful of the prediction.