As against the misleading insinuations making the rounds that authorities of Ado-Odo/Ota Health department are selling Insecticide Treated Nets otherwise known as Mosquito nets to individuals and households, the Health Secretary, Ado-Odo/Ota LG Health Authority, Dr. Bakare Jeleel Adediran, has reiterated that Mosquito nets are given to the people free of charge.
In a telephone interview with VOA News Correspondent on Thursday on whether Health Authority in the local government has prioritized sales of Mosquito nets to its people, Dr. Bakare debunked the rumour, saying that the allegation is false in its entirety, adding that the authority had at no time, sold nor induced the sale of mosquito nets which are meant to be shared freely.
“We have never sold nor asked anyone to return any favour for the distribution of Mosquito nets. The program is to make sure that every household has at least, one or two Mosquito nets to curb the spread of Malaria and our men have been going round town to ensure the even distribution of the nets”.
He stated that representatives from the Community Development Association (CDA) approached the Authority to request relocation of the nets to a more convenient location on behalf of their residents, due to the far distance to the redemption distribution points. He clarified that any arrangement for compensation for logistics and other expenses would be an internal matter between the CDA representatives and their residents, and not subject to the Authority’s involvement or approval. The Authority has no say in the internal arrangements made between the CDA and their residents.
While admonishing residents of Ado-Odo/Ota local government to make themselves available for the collection of the Mosquito nets, Dr. Bakare emphasized that the distribution is free of charge and no one should pay a dime to any of its Officers that demand for whatever inducement in any form.
Community leaders, including Alhaji Adeyinka and Mrs. Ogunbiyi, Chairlady of Ajumose Onipanu ACDC, Unity CDA Chairman and Legal Adviser to Sango ACDC, Pastor Najim Ogunkunle have confirmed that rumors about ITNs being sold in Ado-odo Ota Local Government for N300 are completely false and unacceptable.
They urged the Health Authority to continue performing their lawful duties and ensure that ITNs are distributed appropriately.
Recall that Ogun State Government in collaboration with Global Fund Malaria (GFM) and Society for Family Health (SFH) initiated the distribution of no fewer than 3.1 million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) to households in the state.
VOA News report that the essence of the free distribution of the insecticide treated net is to combat the scourge of malaria and make the country achieve zero pandemic like Egypt and Cape Verde in Africa.
