The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has commended the various measures adopted by Cross River State against the pandemic, including a drive- through test centre for the testing of samples for COVID-19.
“I think it’s excellent. I think it is incredible the level of innovation, creative imagination seen in Cross River since the team arrived here and we are really impressed with what is going on in Cross River State and we believe that the sample collection centre will be a boost to the Covid 19 outfit response that the Cross River State government has elaborated in the last few weeks and I think it is really impressive,” leader of the PTF team, Dr. Faisal Shuaib said.
He also commended Governor Ben Ayade for establishing the testing center, a drive -through testing facility as well as the state garment factory where the team witnessed the production of Personal Protective Equipment including face shields.
“One of the reasons we are here today as the PTF and the Federal Ministry of Health is to come and see what Cross River State has done so far as a second phase of interactions with Cross River State. Just like the first team that came here were also impressed with the level of seriousness, the level of innovation that the Cross River State government has brought to bear,” Shuaib added
The team was in the state on Monday to assess its readiness for the management of the phase two of the pandemic.
According to him, “We just need some further testing to make sure that we can now scale up and make sure that Nigerians are able to benefit from the manufacturing that we are already seeing in Cross River State. It is an opportunity to encourage other governors to be very proactive in making sure that we use such an instance where there is necessity to become great innovators for PPE’s like we need right now.”
‘’We will also look at the issues around the borders to see how FG can support Cross River State to maintain intergrity and security along the borders. But overall, we have had very fruitful conversations with His Excellency and his team and we are really amazed by all of the work that is going on,” he added.
Responding, Governor Ayade thanked Shuaib for his understanding of the issues around the state’s handling of COVID-19.
“Let me specially commend Dr. Faisal for his personal intelligence and understanding of the local situation. Let me thank the team and I want to thank the federal ministry of health for deeming it fit to send a team to come and look at what Cross River has done. I want to thank you for for your kind words and I want to say that the federal government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, the PTF and Covid 19 response Team, the Minister for Health, the DG NCDC for sending a team with NAFDAC, SON to look at our PPE’s from the face shields to the face masks to the overalls with a view to supporting encouraging and patronising us.”
According to the governor, “that is the incentive that Nigerians want to see and that is the impetus that will encourage other governors to go into it.”
Segun Fatuase
seguntuase@gmail.com
08023092925