NCDC: Cross River deserves COVID-19–free status

TRACKING___The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has described Cross River State as deserving of its coronavirus free status.

NCDC stated this on Monday during a verification visit to the state.

The leader of the NCDC team, Dr Omobolanle Olowu, lauded Governor Ben Ayade for his leadership in the battle against the pandemic.

“The Federal Government commends the action governor of Cross River State and his energetic team, who started their response in January when others still lived in denial. They (Cross River) deserve to still be without a case of COVID-19.

“The governor was proactive in shutting down borders, screening visitors and suspected cases and initiating the no mask, no movement campaign in Nigeria,” she said.

Read Also: Lockdown: Cross River reinforces no entry order at boundaries with neighbours

Olowu also expressed delight at the level of compliance with the no mask, no movement policy of the government.

She said: “I cannot believe I did not see one person without a face mask from the airport to this office. I guess this explains the results in Cross River State. I commend the state for the great work done. We never knew all these in Abuja. We will tell Mr President all what we have seen.

“From all I have seen, this is a great response in Nigeria. Cross River has honestly done well. There is a lot to learn from Cross River as best practice for Nigeria. Nigeria should give Cross River State accolades for producing face masks, Face Shield, PPEs in its Garment Factory.”

She said the NCDC was also satisfied with the contact tracing, surveillance and testing done so far by the state, even as she encouraged the state to do more in that regard.

Olowu said: “We are happy that the state has a great working relationship with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. This is Commendable.

“Governor Ayade woke up even before the rest of the country. He shut his borders and has been working from the front line. Your governor is a man with foresight who believes in his people and wants to save his people.”