By Abdullahi Mohammed, Abuja
The Presidential Task Force on Control of COVID-19 said Monday that it will roll out a verification platform next week to check the originality of results from anywhere in the world.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who disclosed this at a briefing of the Presidential Task Force in Abuja, said Nigeria is embarrassed by the increasing number of fake COVID-19 results in Nigeria and other countries.He said there was the need for private laboratories conducting COVID-19 test to join the platform in order to have their data checked and properly managed or lose their COVID-19 test right.
He said Nigeria has now recorded 29 cases of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 based on results coming from different states.
He said in order to have more access to Nigerians, the NCDC has introduced another code, 6232, when dialed, agents of the NCDC would always be handy to assist with any information.
Also speaking, the National Incident Manager of the Presidential Task Force, Mr Mukhtar Mohammed, said inbound passengers that have continued to disobey COVID-19 protocols would be apprehended and quarantined at their own expense.
“We intend to apply full force of the law over such violators which include fines and imprisonment. Our aim is not to witch-hunt or punish anyone but just to ensure people travel safely and when they return to the country that they do not constitute to their loved ones and their community.
“The PTF is aware of the report of syndicates at some international airports outside Nigeria, who specialize in providing fake results to innocent Nigerians who are traveling back home.
“While investigating the matter and working on its relevant authorities including the countries in which these syndicates operate to make sure that these guys are nipped in the bud, I will like to reiterate that it is the responsibility of any passenger returning to Nigeria, to ensure that they are tested before they start returning. You cannot be given a negative result when you samples have not be taken, please understand this and comply.
“It is important to note that on arrival here, if you have a fake result, you will be quarantined in any of our facilities and you will bear the expenses of the facility, feeding and the lab test and after that you are also liable to prosecution.
“Still on travel protocol, we received reports of technical challenges experienced by people returning to the country, we have set up a backup Manuel process and communicated same to all relevant stakeholders including the airlines, ministry health and other embassies.
“These are technical challenges that are bound to occur from time to time but we believe that our technical team will be up to speed and resolve these issues as soon as they occur and that the backup system will also operate as an alternative to the internet platform.“The PTF has granted waivers to some ministries, department and agencies to conduct staff exams to fill existing vacancies in various locations across the country. We have communicated to the relevant ministries that COVID-19 protocols must be observed in these centers with particular emphasis on hall capacities and enforcement of non-pharmaceutical interventions. State authorities and Security agencies should help monitor and enforce compliance in the various states,” he said.