NIEUW NICKERIE - Residents from the Van Pettenpolder and the Western Polder in the Nickerie District are becoming increasingly annoyed over the delay in fumigations against chikungunya.

The fumigations that were announced by the Public Health Bureau (BOG) still have not been carried out. It was announced that fumigations would take place in various streets and residential areas on April 24th. The announcement came in response to complaints regarding the increase in the number of mosquitoes and the looming threat of chikungunya. Multiple residents complained that the fumigations were only carried out in a few areas and that their neighborhoods were skipped. They also complained about the lack of communication from the BOG. The residents are puzzled by the fact that their neighbourhoods were ignored. They currently do not know if the fumigations will ever happen in their streets. MP Rawien Raghoenandan who has already mentioned the issue labeled it as a cause for concern. “The people are entitled to information,” said MP Raghoenandan who added that the lack of action undermines reliability in the public health policy. The legislator called on the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Bureau to provide answers. The residents made it clear that they do not want empty promises and that officials must take action against chikungunya.