Port Loko DERC Inspects Luma markets

Port Loko, November 2 (SLENA) – The District Coordinator at the Ebola Response Centre, Hon. Raymond Kabia has embarked on an inspection tour of all places where Luma Markets are about to recommence operations. The essence is to make sure that no stone is left unturned in eradicating Ebola from the District.

One of the immediate reasons for the tour of the DERC Coordinator, according to reports monitored by SLENA, is as a result of the apparent resumption of Luma Markets in his area of responsibility. It would be recalled that operations of Luma Markets were the major source of income for most people in the countryside. Unfortunately, these trade fair activities were brought to a halt upon the outbreak of the Ebola virus in the country. The embargo on Luma activities was enforced by President Koroma himself when he issued a ban on public gatherings.

Although the ultimate aim was to minimise the spread of the virus, it ended up stagnating the socio economic setting in most communities. Thus, there has been a strong desire to revamp these activities with the perception that Ebola was now dying out. The Office of the Coordinator was being inundated with requests after the district has gone a little over 40 days without any new case of Ebola. This was followed by several delegations from the various communities prevailing on the District Coordinator for an okay to recommence Luma Market activities.

As presented by members of the Foredugu Luma Committee, they have been out of business for far too long and would now be grateful if the authorities could allow them to go on with their trading activities. They explained how things have been very rough with them and that most could hardly meet their domestic responsibilities.

The DERC Coordinator was in sympathy of the prevailing situation which he described as a national concern. He said their request cannot be simply granted without ensuring that certain measures are put in place before any clearance could be given to them.

Hon. Raymond Kabia was therefore out with a check list to have a personal assessment of the level of preparedness with regards the safety of Luma Market goers, as lots of people from different parts of the District and elsewhere would go out there to transact.

The Checklist, according source, aims at verifying whether the Luma sites are away from the main highway to avert road accidents, completely fenced and provided with proper toilet facilities. Apart from ensuring that each Luma Market has infrared thermometers , screeners, veronica buckets, soap and sanitizers, Hon. Raymond Kabia further goes on to know if there is a cordial working relationship between the Paramount Chiefs and members of the Luma associations in the respective chiefdoms.

At Feredugu in the Buya Romendy Chiefdom where he made his first stop over, the DERC Coordinator and team which comprised of Inspector Sency Koroma of the Quarantine Pillar at the Control and Command Centre in Port Loko, members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces and the Communications and Situation Analyst at the DERC Office, resolved not to stamp and sign the certificate for the commencement of operations. The Coordinator said no Market would be allowed to resume until all the necessary measures are put in place. The decision was based on the fact that the proposed Luma Site was not properly fenced and there were no proper toilet facilities. Hon. Raymond Kabia was however pleased to okay those at Borope and Foroad Kalangba Junctions in the Lokomasama Chiefdom. He emphasised the need for the establishment of a screening point at each entrance to ensure that no sick person is allowed into the Luma Market. He advised for the places to be kept clean at all times and for them to be mindful of the fact that Ebola is not yet completely finished.

By Hassan Bruz

Credit SLENA

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