In a bid to protect lawmakers from contacting the Coronavirus, the House of Representatives resolved to adjourn for two weeks while they seek measures to tackle the deadly virus. The House decision came after the Director General of National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, was quarantined in self-isolation over possible infection by the Coronavirus immediately after his return from China.
Health Minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire, made this disclosure on Tuesday evening while briefing the Senate leadership on government’s efforts to tackle the scourge. According to him, the NCDC boss just returned from an official visit to China where he understudied the behavioral pattern of Coronavirus patients. He added that in line with established safety procedure against Coronavirus “he had to be quarantined for 14 days immediately on arrival at the weekend.” He said the Director-General of NCDC will remain in isolation in one of the rooms in his house for 14 days.
The NCDC boss had visited China on the request of the Chinese Government to understudy and conduct research on the behavioral pattern of Coronavirus. “I am well and have continued my duties from home since my return from China as part of the WHO-China Mission on #COVID19,” Ihekweazu said on Twitter on Tuesday evening. “The rumor that I am sick or in quarantine is obviously false. I look forward to returning to the office after 14 days of self-isolation.” The Health Minister said the action was in line with the safety procedures by the Ministry of health.
On Nigeria’s level of preparedness, the Minister said the Ministry has established isolation centres in four cities where Nigeria has international airports. The cities are Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.
He said these were in addition to scanners discretely mounted at the 4 airports that capture body temperature without the passengers being aware.
On its part, the House reached this resolution after unanimously adopting a motion of urgent national importance moved by Hon. Idem Unyime at the plenary on Tuesday. Contributing in support of the motion, Ndudi Elumelu called for the adjournment of plenary for two weeks, while the lawmakers work with relevant agencies to tackle the deadly virus. He also suggested that all lawmakers should be tested. “It’s a very serious matter. The driver carrying the Italian man has gone missing, he could be hiding anywhere,” he said
On his part Hon. Nasir Ali Ahmed lamented that it was worrisome that Nigeria as the most populated country in Africa, has only three isolation centres. He cited the case of Iran’s vice president who contacted coronavirus and two of its cabinet members that died recently after contracting the disease, saying a lot needs to be done to tackle it. Also Hon. Dagomie Abiante said Nigeria was not ready for the virus, adding that there’s need for all hands to be on deck.
He said, “We are now faced with our worst fears. When the motion to bring back our brothers from Wuhan, China was brought up, why did we bring it down? Finally our fears have caught have up with us. There’s urgent need for all hands to be on deck. We don’t have enough information about this virus. We need to sit up, we do not have a single thermometer and we are not ready for what is coming to us. The lawmakers voted in favor of Hon. Elumelu’s prayer, agreeing that the house should adjourn for two weeks.
