Dhaka, Aug 07 – Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has brought a new effective insecticide which they will start spraying in the DNCC areas from Thursday morning. DNCC have already tested all three test that need to use the insecticide (Malathion) and found a satisfactory result on Tuesday night.Meanwhile, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) found 100 per cent effectiveness of Indian imported insecticides (Deltamethrin and Malathion) in curbing mosquito in what they termed Field Test on Tuesday. The insecticides samples will now be sent for lab test, an official of DSCC said.
Meanwhile, the government has allocated Tk 51.5 crore to help the city corporations and municipalities fight mosquitoes in where the two Dhaka city corporations were given Tk 7.5 crore each. LGRD and cooperatives minister Md Tazul Islam came up with the information at a views exchanging meeting with Bangladesh Climate Change Journalist Forum at the Secretariat.
In DNCC, Mayor Atiqul Islam on Wednesday disclosed the name of the new insecticide and also apologized to the families of the victims who lost their lives to the mosquito-borne dengue fever.
“I offer my sincerest apology to those who have suffered loss of close ones to dengue. This is utterly unexpected. Only those who have lost loved ones know what it feels like. It is very sad. I personally apologise to the families,” he said.
The mayor conveyed the apologies at a press briefing held over the progress of mosquito killing and insecticide use, at DNCC Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan in the capital.
About the new insecticide, the Mayor said, “The new product of Malathion came from a Chinese company, Nanjing Ecofarm Biotechnology Company Ltd. We have conducted the field test first. After that we also conducted the lab tests — one at the Plant Protection Wing of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) and the other at the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).”
He also said, “I have got the test reports on Tuesday night. After that, we have started preparing the insecticide. The concentration of Malathion (57per cent EC) will be changed down to Malathion (5pc RFU) and Disel will be adding up 95 pc. We have brought 40 thousand litres of that insecticides through our consignment with the sample.”
“Till Yesterday (Tuesday), we have fined a total of Tk. 27 lakh after found Aedes mosquito larvae in the premises of various buildings
“The government have already appointed a Deputy Secretary, a thana education officer and a health assistant to inspect the activity of workers and also conduct house to house inspection. Word commissioners will be their advisers. 20 magistrates join the 10 areas of DNCC form next Monday-Tuesday,” Atiqul said.
“We have a manpower shortage. We are working on it. We also have a shortage of fogging machines. Within four days, we will import 200 machines from Germany. DNCC has already black listed two companies, Limit Agro Limited and Noton Limited, for importing low quality pesticides, he added.
About house-to-house inspection programme the mayor said, “If Aides mosquito larvae is found in any building, then sticker will be pasted outside of the house for warning. If larva found in that building again, then the owner will be fined.”
DNCC Public Relations Officer (PRO) ASM Mamun detailed on the steps taken by DNCC against dengue, before the mayor started his briefing.
The government has allocated Tk 51.5 crore to help the city corporations and municipalities fight mosquitoes.
Of the amount, the two city corporations of Dhaka were given Tk 7.5 crore each. Tk 1 crore each was allocated for Gazipur, Narayanganj, and Chattogram city corporations. The other city corporations received Tk 50 lakh each and all the municipalities got Tk 30 crore.
Mayor Islam said they are conducting mosquito extermination activities using the experience of Kolkata. ‘The menace will be under control if everyone keeps premises of their residences and offices clean.’ – Staff Reporter
