COVID-19: Kwara Poly unveils automated hand washing machine, govt adopt for public use

Barely two weeks after presenting two hundred bottles of sanitizers to Kwara State Government, the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has produced a pedal-operated hand washing machine to help in curbing the spread of coronavirus in the state.

Presenting the machine on Wednesday to the Kwara State Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi who doubles as the Chairman State Taskforce on COVID-19, the Rector, Dr Abdul Jimoh Mohammed remarked that the move was inspired by the desire to support the government’s fight against the pandemic.

Dr Abdul said this is keeping faith with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) directives to ensure that people wash their hands with soap and water regularly.

“The reason for devising the machine is to curb the risk of contamination from public water facilities and avert community transmission. For instance, if one puts on the tap to wash his hands to rid it of germs, once he tries to put off an already contaminated water tap, it is as good as not doing anything. This is where the machine comes handy to protect the unsuspecting public users from contracting the disease,” Dr Abdul remarked during the brief.

“The machine is easy to operate for everyone. A light press on the left pedal gets soap coming out while the right side switches the water on for thorough hand washing. Once the leg is raised, it stops flowing. You see it is an improvement on the traditional style.”

The Deputy Governor, while receiving the machine, praised the leadership of the institution for its drive for its innovation during this time. 

“This is creativity. These are the things we need in all the markets in the state. Every government in Nigeria must buy this. We need to show it to the world, too. I am impressed,” said Mr Kayode Alabi.

Consequently, the management of the polytechnic has been directed to produce more as the government announced the adoption of the pedal-operated machine for use in MDAs, markets, parks and other public spaces in the state to strengthen their efforts against the COVID-19 disease.