Condemnation has continued to trail the House of Representatives’ resolution to suspend plenary for two weeks to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the National Assembly. Daily Trust reports that Civil Society groups condemned the decision of the lawmakers, saying it is unjustifiable.

Though, the House did not specify when the plenary would be suspended, the Green Chamber, in a resolution at plenary on Tuesday, said the two-week break would give members opportunity to be tested for the virus and make adequate preparation against spread of the disease in the National Assembly. The resolution was sequel to the motion; tagged “Need for Emergency Response to Tackling of Coronavirus in Nigeria”, sponsored by Idem Uyinan (PDP, Akwa Ibom).

The Minority leader, Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta) who added the prayer that the House should close for two weeks, which was unanimously adopted, said the period would allow the management to put in place adequate preventive measures.

So that all of us can be tested. This is a very serious matter because you don’t know who you are having a hand shake with,

he said.

Also, another lawmaker, Isiaka Ibrahim, lamented that Nigeria is at zero level in terms of control centres.

Awaji-Inombek Abiante, (PDP, Rivers) on his part, regretted that the House stepped down a motion asking for the transportation of stranded Nigerians back home from China, saying, “now, our fears have caught up with us”. Still speaking on the motion, Obinna Chidoka (PDP, Anambra) called on government to put in place proactive measures that will prevent the spread of the virus in the country.

He noted that outside the health sector in Nigeria, there was no place that people patronise more than the National Assembly, and called for serious preventive measures at the complex. Chidoka also advised government to establish more isolation centres, and for the legislature to be strict in oversight functions to ensure that the health sector lives up to expectation.

In his lead debate, Uyime said the leadership of the National Assembly should set up an ad-hoc committee to liaise with relevant health agencies to prevent the spread of the disease.

He said the federal government should release more funds to the Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to quarantine, treat, and contain spread of the virus.

However, the spokesperson of the House, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, in a statement last night, said the resolution is subject to reconsideration.

According to reports, no basic preventive step had been taken round the National Assembly complex.

Action unjustifiable – Civil Society
Speaking on the issue, the Director, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Idayat Hassan, flayed the action of the House of Representatives.

She noted that Nigeria has just one confirmed case, which is in Lagos and wondered how that could be used to justify their action.

Hassan said,

How many of them travelled out? What if we have more cases in a few weeks, will they go on recess forever? It is shameful, as no parliament on this earth has shut down for coronavirus. Instead, people are going on with their lives in other countries, meetings are being held. Our lawmakers are laughable.

Also, the Executive Director, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, said that so far, no case of coronavirus has been reported in Abuja, and that there is no incidence at the National Assembly complex to warrant the suspension of plenary by the lawmakers.

In a saner country, this is even when the Reps would take their work seriously. Unfortunately, they use every excuse, including frivolous holidays to abandon their duties because anything goes in Nigeria. Of course, they will get paid for not sitting, therefore no worries,

Zikirullahi said.

Similarly, the Convener, Say No Campaign Nigeria (SNC-Nigeria), Ezenwa Nwagwu said the Reps action is completely uncalled for.

They (lawmakers) are always looking for excuse to shirk responsibility; we are not yet in an emergency, what will happen if other public officials stop work because of a situation that is being contained?

Nwagwu said.

Source: Daily Trust

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.