Cross River alleges plans in the state to bribe people to claim they’re COVID-19 positive

The government of Cross River State has alleged that people are being promised millions of naira should they claim to be COVID-19 positive.

The state Commissioner of Health, Betta Edu, who made this claim, emphasised that it was not compulsory that every state in Nigeria must have a COVID-19 case.

She spoke to newsmen on Wednesday, adding, that the alleged pressure on the state over COVID-19 matter should cease.

“I want all of us to help Cross River State raise a voice in the right direction. It is not compulsory and I repeat it is not compulsory that every state in Nigeria should have a COVID-19 case.

“We want this pressure to cease. Recently, people have come to meet with the (COVID-19) team to show us fake messages that have been sent to them, that if they can say they are COVID-19 positive, then, they would be given millions of naira.

“It’s gradually getting out of hand, it’s getting personal. Everyday,” she said.

The state Health Commissioner also lamented how they were being pressured and expected to conduct Coronavirus test in a community with 500,000 people with just 50 test kits.

The claim by Edu came following a statement by the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, that the COVID-19 virus would get to every state in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: PDP TO TASK FORCE ON COVID-19: Explain what happened to N5bn grant to NCDC to fight virus

He also said the reason some state were yet to record positive COVID-19 case was because they were either negligent in testing and tracing, or actively hiding the disease within their territories.

Cross River is currently the only state in the entire Southern Nigeria that is yet to record a case of COVID-19.

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