In an effort to curb the possible spread of the corona virus and to ensure that there is adherence to safety requirements in different farms during the Covid-19 outbreak, MEC Desbo Mohono of North West Department Agriculture and Rural Development is currently visiting a number of agricultural projects across the province.
Mohono kick started her visits few weeks ago by visiting number of farms and agricultural projects in and around the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, farms and projects in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality and last week she was in Ngaka Modiri Molema District visiting some of the farms and handing over PPEs to number of farmers.
During her visits, MEC Mohono and the team takes workers through basic steps to protect themselves against possible spread of the virus and hand to workers personal protective equipment (PPEs) such as masks and sanitizers.
The MEC stressed the importance of remaining cautious at all times during this crisis and ensuring that workers are given the much needed safety gears and sanitizers as they continue doing their work.
“You must wear gloves, cover your mouths with these masks, and sanitize your hands or wash them regularly for at least 20 seconds. Always when you working among yourselves keep at least a meter away from each other.
“Should you as workers get infected it could also affect the very same goods they you are working on. Therefore the safety should be a priority to all of you,” MEC Mohono advised farm workers.
Mohono emphasised that the department was classified as essential service because food production cannot be halted. The agricultural sector has a huge responsibility of producing food for the people of North West and for the nation as a whole. Production in farms cannot stop, but we must be safe as we produce food for communities hence as a department we are handing over safety material to these workers. We need them to be at work because they play a significant role,” she said.
“We acknowledge the considerable strides made in fighting this deadly disease, but now more than ever we need to intensify our efforts. Through unity and solidarity we will definitely beat this pandemic. I am therefore pleading and urging farm owners that they do not underestimate the dangers posed by this virus and that they make sure that their workers are supplied with safety material,” MEC Mohono pleads.
Farmers and farmer workers in farms she already visited appreciated MEC Mohono’s efforts to come to explain the lockdown regulations to them in depth and what measures they should take, while they continue to do their work.
MEC Mohono will continue with this programme of visiting agricultural projects and farms to hand PPEs in response to government’s call for support in the fight against the scourge of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
This week the team is in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality where farmers will receive their PPEs. In her interactions with these workers, MEC Mohono and the team emphasise the importance of adhering to the lockdown regulations and measures that are implemented in the province to curb the spread of the virus.
CAPTION:
MEC Desbo Mohono handing over personal protective equipment (PPEs) such as masks and sanitizers to farmers and farm workers.
In her interactions with these workers, MEC Mohono and the team and emphasised the importance of adhering to the lockdown regulations and measures that are implemented in the province to curb the spread of the virus.
Issued by:
Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684/ Cell: 060 745 4020
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/dard
Facebook:www.facebook.com/dard
Twitter: @nwpg _dard