The Kogi state Government has said that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) should explain why its officials who were drafted to the state to assist in the fight against coronavirus fled after Governor Yahaya Bello ordered them to be quarantined and tested for the virus.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, who expressed his displeasure with the action of the officials told newsmen that NCDC must punish them for violating its own rules and apologize to the people of the state.
“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 the 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 apologise to the good people of Kogi State.
“How will they encourage people to go for test when its own officials are afraid of test? This is sad,” the commissioner said.
The officials of the NCDC were sent to Kogi to assist the State in responding to the challenges posed by the pandemic.
