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Kogi State Government has tackled the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) over the alleged refusal of some of its officials to be tested for COVID-19.
A Federal Government delegation sent to the state on Thursday to boost its capacity returned to Abuja after the governor asked those in the delegation to go on isolation and be prepared for test.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said the team chose to return to Abuja rather than to be tested or go into self-isolation.
Fanwo asked if the agency was hiding anything from the people of the state.
He said why the officials refused to be tested was a matter of concern to the state government, calling on the centre to investigate the issue.
“It was drama today at the Kogi State Government House as officials of the National Center for Disease Control sent to ascertain the COVID-19 status flee the state.
“The Officials said they were not ready to be tested for COVID-19 and went back to Abuja. 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 sent 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 test when its own officials are afraid of test? This is sad,” Fanwo said.