By Beauty John, LAFIA
The Nasarawa State COVID-19 Task Force has created holding centers in each local government area in the state, to decongest the facility in Lafia.
The deputy governor of Nasarawa state, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, who doubles as the head of COVID-19 task force in Nasarawa State, stated this during a press briefing at the deputy governor’s office in Lafia today (Monday).
The deputy governor explained that the use of these holding centers is for the citizens of Nasarawa who have been flooding in, particularly, from high-risk states to be quarantined and tested.
“Therefore, we ask the local government chairmen to identify facilities in their local governments, so that when our brothers and sisters come, we will not drive them away, but should be escorted to the holding centers in their local governments”. He said.
Dr Akabe explained that the idea for more holding centers is geared towards decongesting the holding facility at the state Polytechnic in Lafia.
“Because we started at the holding center at the state polytechnic but the place is now getting crowded. If there is anything you want to avoid in this pandemic is a crowd.“
It can be recalled that there was a protest by the people quarantined at the Isa Mustapha Agwai polytechnic( state polytechnic) in Lafia, on Sunday, 4th April 2020, which led to the escape of four people from the holding faculty.
The deputy governor confirmed it and assured that the people have been brought back to the facility.
“As for the little protest in the holding center in the polytechnic, it’s true that four people ran out. They have all been identified and taken back to the holding center”. He said.
Dr Akabe revealed that a subcommittee on counseling had been set to counsel the people so that they can understand why they are being held, where they are being held, and the seriousness of the disease.
