Metro

Lagos govt to pay residents to kill rats

Published

8 years ago

October 2, 2016

Lagos govt to pay residents to kill rats

The Lagos State Government in collaboration with a Lagos-based company, Phosguard Fumigant Ltd., a Non-Governmental Organisation are launching a campaign where residents will be paid for killing rats.

This is in a bid to wipe out Vector-borne diseases which accounts for more than 17 per cent of all infectious diseases, causing more than one million deaths annually according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

According to Mr Oluwasegun Benson, the Chief Executive Officer of Phosguard, the move will help de-rat Lagos State and reduce disease infection.

“Kill rats; make money in Lagos’’ would help to de-rat the state, especially with Lassa fever infecting more people in some states.” Mr. Benson said while revealing the reward.

Continuing he said; “We will buy off at least 20 rats for a yet-to-be determined amount; in Lagos, now it is operation kill rats and make money.

“A rat has 28 days gestation period and in the past years, there has not been any solid structure on ground to curb them from infecting humans with diseases,’’ Mr. Benson added.

The Lagos State Government according to reports has also started training officers that will execute the project and training which will last for two weeks is being conducted in collaboration with its project partners; Phosguard.

Mr. Benson also further informed that 25 youths were currently being trained for the take-off of the project that would involve the killing of rodents beginning with markets in the state.

“The project involves killing of rats, using chemicals as baits and this requires special skills to avoid the adverse effects of the chemicals.

“The training which is in three levels is in preparation for the programme to rid the state of rodents and buying up the rats for proper disposal. “We will collaborate with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to either incinerate or bury the rats according to the best practices.

“This why we why we are mobilising the public to be part of the “Kill Rats and Get Paid Project’’ that is most likely to be launched this month,’’ the environmentalist said.

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