The Cross River State Government has accused the Federal Government of not providing equal COVID-19 support to all states of the federation.
Speaking with DAILY POST via phone on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu who is the Chairman of COVID-19 Response Team in the state regretted that the federal government appeared to be focused on Abuja alone.
“We don’t have a problem with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), we are doing our best, they, too are doing their best, we are hopeful to get their support. NCDC came in here, we conducted them around and showed them our needs, unfortunately, nothing has been done.
“The Federal Government should centralise the COVID-19 response to all the states, states have different needs, supports should be provided on their respective needs.
“Some states have needs of Isolation Centres, others have needs of laboratories, it doesn’t augur well to concentrate in Abuja whereas other states are suffering, it doesn’t help to reduce the alarming rates of COVID-19 positives in the Country.
“Don’t keep everything in Abuja, the states are facing serious challenges, a lot of states are unable to manage Isolation Centres any more.
“A lot are at their wits end. In that kind of situation, the response becomes distorted. It is time the Federal Government helps various states, provide funds for them according to their needs.
“Right now, I am interested in shutting our borders; let Cameroonians not come in, let people and states infected with COVID-19 not come in. We are still COVID-19 free, wearing of nose masks is still compulsory, observation of social distancing is still on” she explained.
