Our protest did not affect collection of samples, says FCT COVID-19 response team

Members of the federal capital territory (FCT) COVID-19 emergency response team say they did not abandon their duty posts despite the non-payment of their N30,000 daily allowance for April and May.

TheCable had reported how the health workers converged on the public health department office, Area 3, Garki, Abuja, on Tuesday demanding payment of their outstanding allowance before they would return to work.

Among those being owed are sample collectors, case investigators, ambulance drivers, environmental health worker, temperature readers and cleaners.

However, in a statement on Friday, Alabi Adozia, who spoke on behalf staff of the FCT public health department in the COVID-19 team, said the protest did not in any way affect the collection of samples of suspected COVID-19 patients and other related activities.

Adozia gave assurance that the team is committed to the fight against the virus, saying they are fully aware of the grave consequences the pandemic poses to the health of Nigerians.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Kawu, acting secretary of the FCT health and human services secretariat, has commended members of the COVID-19 emergency response team for their commitment and dedication.

Kawu also gave then the assurance that they would receive their allowances in full as the issue which hindered the payment of their allowances have been addressed.

He added that measures have been put in place to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.

The acting secretary said active search for victims infected with the virus is still being carried out in different communities across the six area councils of the FCT.

He urged residents to abide by the established safety measures so as to stop the spread of the virus.