The automated disinfection cubicle constructed by the corps members in Akwa Ibom state.
Kufre Etuk – Uyo
As part of their contribution to the fight against Coronavirus, some corps members serving in Akwa Ibom state have constructed automated disinfection cubicle.
The disinfection cubicle was strategically placed at the entrance of the federal secretariat, Uyo, to disinfect people going in to the secretariat.
The automated disinfection cubicle which is said to have the capacity to sanitise the whole body in three seconds was inaugurated by the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of NYSC Mr Julius Amusan, on Tuesday.
Amusan said the chamber was constructed by corps members in the state as part of their contribution to fight COVID-19 pandemic.
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He said that the product was constructed by the corps members through the knowledge of Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme (SAED).
Amusan emphasised that NYSC management attached great importance to the SAED programme to ensure that corps members within the service year acquired addition skill to their knowledge.
Corps members who constructed the automatic disinfection cubicle.
“In the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) we have what we called Skill Entrepreneurship Development Programme (SAED) under which we train corps members in different skills.
“The management of NYSC deem it necessary that it is not enough for these corps members to come in, serve and go out like that.
“The inauguration we are witnessing this moment is as a result of our efforts at joining the collective efforts being made at every level of government to ensure that the spread of COVID-19 is eliminated.
“You will recall that about three weeks ago, some group of corps members under skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programme came up with some items which we have donated to the state government as part of our own contributions towards the fight against COVID-19.
“I want to appreciate this team of corps members who has come together, who did not let us down when we throw the challenge and we encouraged them, as you can see they came up with this disinfection chamber,” Amusan said.
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The state coordinator said that the disinfection chamber would be useful to corporate organisations like banks, ministries and other agencies.
Amusan urged other youths to emulate the corps members to bring out their potentials to enhance the development of the country.
He commended the corps members for their zeal and contributions to the fight against coronavirus pandemic in the state.
“I want to appreciate them for ensuring that the automated disinfection chamber came up for others to see.
“I know if this thing get to the Director General, he won’t allow this idea to die at this level.
“Any organisation that wishes to have something like this, can contact us for more.
“As you can see, it will disinfect you from your head to toe, and the chemical was prepared to ensure that it is in line with the approved standard.
“I want to enjoined others who are still out there to borrow a leaf from what these corps members have done,” he said.
Speaking to the engineer corp member that led the construction, Mr Adetifa Omoyemi, Electrical Electronics Engineering from Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti said that the chamber was put together by some corps engineers and scientists.
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He said that the automated disinfection chamber operates with electricity and could last as long as there was power supply.
He said that the materials used for the construction of the disinfection chamber met Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) standard.
“I studied Electrical Electronic Engineering. I have passion for buildings electronic stuffs. We saw the idea and we came up with our different teams.
“We have four groups of engineering, some work with electrical, Megatronic and I’m good with electronic and program hardwares.
“We came together and work together, so it’s not just one team.
“The only issue could be power failure, but when there is no power failure or damages on this chamber it can last long,” he said.
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Also speaking to the scientist corp member that supervised the solution for disinfection, Mr Okoye Chisom, a graduate of Biochemistry from Nnamdi Azikiwe University said they used approved disfectant, which include sodium hypochloride at approved percentage to avoid damage to the skin.
“We used EPA approved disinfectant which one of them is sodium hypochloride, but with an approved percentage so that it will not irritate the body as well as do the work of disinfection.”
“We also added little disinfectant property as ingredients to support the efficacy and make it to more effective.”
“As we can see, once its releases the spray and the disinfectant lands on your body, it has a maximum of five minutes contact and it start doing the job.”
“This has to go through your body, while hand sanitisers only sanitise your hands. As you are turning 360 degrees it touches your hand bag, clothes and any other thing that might have come in contact with the virus,” he said.
