From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos
Lagos state Governor, Babatunde Fashola yesterday urged the Federal Government to urgently strengthen the Ports’ health facilities, to forestall the outbreak of fresh Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country.
Fashola, who spoke at the flag-off of the 64-page Electronic Passport (E-Passport) in Lagos, lamented that the country cannot go through another harrowing Ebola experience after it dealt with first index case-American-Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer.
According to him, “This is the time to reinvigorate our port health facilities. This will afford us the opportunity to detect any Ebola infected person. And it could be easily contained adversely at the border post.”
Fashola stated that the border posts are the first line of defense for the country, saying “It is what passes through the borders that other agencies-police, health officials and others- will have to work on.”
He warned that Nigeria is not yet free from the deadly virus, noting “Yes, we have dealt with EVD but the risk of the infection remains, as long as the disease is yet to be curtailed in Liberia, Guinea and others parts of the world.
“We must strengthen your screening at the country’s border posts to know where anyone who is coming into the country had earlier visited and to alert the relevant agencies when there are needs for further actions,” Fashola added.
The governor however urged immigration and Custom officials to develop a reputation that everyone would be proud off, saying “It will scare away anyone who chose to come into the country to perpetrate any evil act.
“Anytime you man the border post whether the land, air and sea, think of the danger that could happen to the over 100 million citizens of the country if you fail to secure the post effectively.
Speaking earlier, the Controller of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State command, Mrs. Justina Ahmadu, said plans have been concluded to establish two additional passport offices in the state.
“This is to ensure seamless and quality service delivery continues in the state, which is the commercial hub of the country,” he said.
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