It is not yet time for that – NCDC DG tells House of Rep members on two weeks planned recess over coronavirus

The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu has reacted to the move by members of the House of Representatives to go on two weeks recess over coronavirus.

Speaking on Channels Television ‘Sunrise Daily’, Ihekweazu stated that it is not yet time for such action as it will only lead to panic.

The NCDC boss urged the lawmakers to instead support the efforts of experts by providing a budget that is sustainable in curtailing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

He said;

“I have a lot of respect for the honourable members of the House of Representatives, but I think the time now hasn’t come, if they respond in a way like that by suspending session, everyone else will ask if they should close their businesses, office or schools and it is disproportionate at this time.

“They should support the work experts are doing; give us a sustainable budget so that we can develop the expertise.

“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 and their mandate is to fund.

“I understand they are expressing the anxieties of Nigerians, but they should please support the works we are doing both in the short and long-term.”

On if a cure for coronavirus has been found, Ihekweazu said;

“Cures are found through collective scientific effort and not from my mother’s pot in the village.”