Some Nigerian legislators have been accused of resisting screening after making trips to Coronavirus high-risk countries.
This is coming after the Federal Government issued a directive that all returnees must undergo screening at the nation’s airports as a precautionary measure in curtailing the widespread of the deadly COVID-19.
Coronavirus has proved to be a no respecter of person or titles with the death of an ex-director of PPMC, Suleiman Achimugu, the infection of son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Sophie Trudeau wife of Canadian Prime Minister and other Hollywood celebrities.
However, some legislators who may have found the screening demeaning refused to subject themselves to the procedure. This informed the decision of the Health Minister Ehanire Ohanire to report the issue to the Presidency.
Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Buhari’s has written to the Speaker, House of Reps to order these lawmakers to subject themselves to a medical test immediately.
The letter dated March 21, 2020 reads “It has been brought to the Honourable Minister of Health, recently reported to this office that some members of the House of Representatives are refusing to subject themselves to medical screening at airports.
“As you are aware, these airport screenings are our primary line of defense and refusal by any citizen to subject to these tests is a threat to our nation.
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“Accordingly, you are kindly requested to direct all members of the House of Representatives who returned to Nigeria from foreign trips to report themselves to the nearest NCDC test centre with immediate effect.”
Nigeria as at March 23, 2020 has a record of 35 confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19)