TheCable

The Kogi government has accused the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) of trying to scare investors away from the state with the recent travel warning against it.

The presidential taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19, on Monday, classified Kogi as “high risk” for COVID-19 following the state’s unwillingness to acknowledge the existence of the disease, report tests or build isolation centres.

The PTF warned Nigerians to beware of visiting the state.

But reacting, Kingsley Fanwo, the state commissioner for information and communication, said the PTF was trying to create alarm in the state and drive investors away.

He said the government is attacking the state because of its stance that the COVID-19 pandemic should not be turned into a money-making venture at the detriment of Nigerians.

According to Fanwo, the state has done more sensitisation on COVID-19 than any other state in the country.

“Despite their unreliable figures, Kogi emerged as the preferred investment destination of Nigeria in the last quarter of 2020. They felt embarrassed and the best way to hit back is to create a picture of health crisis in the state,” Fanwo said.

“Kogi was the first state to procure face masks in thousands and distributed to all the councils, as well as the first to set up a team to combat the spread of the virus.

“We set up isolation centres with state-of-the-art equipment. We have done sensitisation more than any other state. So if we don’t believe that COVID-19 exists, we won’t be doing all we are doing to ensure it doesn’t ravage our state.

“What we said and still saying is that COVID-19 is not worth all the marketing going on just for a few to make billions; that we do not have to suffer innocent Nigerians while a few smile to the banks.”