Hours after the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 classified Kogi state as a ‘high risk’ state in the country for the deadly virus, the state government has fired back at the PTF, accusing the COVID-19 taskforce of trying to scare investors away from the state.
Recall that the PTF had on Monday, February 1 warned Nigerians to avoid visiting Kogi state as a result of its unwillingness to acknowledge the existence of the deadly disease, report tests or build isolation centers.
Kingsley Fanwo, the commissioner of information and communication in the state while reacting to the PTF’s classification 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 to the detriment of Nigerians.
“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.
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 centers 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”, he said
