By Yahaya Idris, Lokoja.
As Kogi State Government battle to control the spread of Coronavirus from getting access to the State, the officials of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control sent to ascertain the COVID-19 status of the state fled to avoid being subjected to COVID-19 test.
Kogi is one of the two states in the federation that is yet to record a single COVID-19 case in the country.
According to the officials of the NCDC said they were sent to the State to assist in responding to the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello while receiving them thanked the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alahji Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidential Task Force for rising to the occasion.
Bello said the world must unite to defeat the virus.
The Governor reeled out some measures adopted by the State to stem or control the spread of the scourge. He also said the country must move out of the pandemic and provide structures for economic recovery.
He disclosed that he has decided to give full insurance to frontline health workers and also increase their hazard allowance from 30, 000 naira to 50,000 naira daily to further encourage them to put in their best.
Bello however said the state has resolved to comply with the protocols of the NCDC by putting the officials in quarantine for fourteen days and take their samples to ensure they are COVID-19 free.
He predicated his decision on the fact that they came from an infested area.
The Officials however refused to be tested for COVID-19 and returned to Abuja.
Reason behind the NCDC Officials fear of being tested has raised concerns for the Government of Kogi State.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo told newsmen that NCDC should come hard on its Officials for violating its rules.
“Today, the Governor showed the statesmanship in him once again by appreciating the support of the NCDC and defending the health interests of his people.
“NCDC quarantined the Chinese professionals that came to give them technical support and also took their samples for test. It is a normal practice and protocol set by NCDC.
“So NCDC will have a lot to explain as to why its officials refused to test for COVID-19. How can we be sure of their status? What are their fears? Why did NCDC send people who are afraid of test to our State? What was their intention?
“The officials that came have done an integrity blow to the works of the NCDC. Is there something they are hiding? It is time NCDC opened up and apologize to the good people of Kogi State.
“How will they encourage people to go for test when it’s own officials are afraid of test? This is sad”. And Efforts to reach NCDC officials has proven abortive as they have all left the State without notice.
