Coronavirus: NCDC Berates Reps For Suspending Plenary
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has berated members of the House of Representatives for suspending plenary for two weeks over fears of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.
THE WHISTLER had reported that the House suspended plenary on Tuesday to enable the National Assembly management install facilities to screen and detect coronavirus at entry points of NASS.
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But reacting on Tuesday when he appeared on Channels TV’s “Sunrise Daily” which was monitored by this newspaper, the NCDC Director-General, Chikwe Ihekweazu, described the lawmakers’ action as “disproportionate” and done too early.
“I think the time now hasn’t come [for the house to suspend plenary over COVID-19],” said Ihekweazu.
The NCDC DG said by their action, the rep members were suggesting that workers, business-owners and students in the country should also shut down pending when COVID-19 is totally eradicated from the country.
“If they respond in a way like that by suspending session, everyone else would ask should I close my business? Should I close my office? Should I close my school? And it is disproportionate at this time.
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“I think what the honourable members should do is really support the work. The technical work that the experts are doing. Give us your full support, budget for us in a sustainable way so that we can develop the expertise. Ask us for advice so we can advise you on what to do.
“If I were to be asked, it’s too early to carry out a measure like that. They need to express by their actions and their words confidence in the government institutions that they have set up. Their mandate is to fund [and] let us do our work and advise Nigerians on what to do. That’s what we’re here for,” said Ihekweazu.
The NCDC DG further while understands the lawmakers’ anxiety, “My candid advice to them is to please support the work we’re doing both in the short and long term, so that we can be in the position to advise government on what to do and give them the best advice to protect Nigerians.”
