COVID-19 vaccination: Reps to investigate rots, sharp practices in issuance of certificates by Port Health Services.

Jonas Ezieke, Abuja

The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to investigate the sordid state of affairs as well as sharp practices by Port Health Services personnel working at the nations ports of entry in view of the persistent issuance of fake vaccine certificates to travellers by it

The House equally asked the Federal Government of Nigeria FGN to immediately overhaul the operations of the Port Health Service and equip the faciity to a world-class standard in view of the decayed infrastructure in the agency

The House resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Hon.Obinna Chidoka representing Idemilli North/South Federal Constituency of Anambra State on the matter on the floor of the House

Debating the motion, Chidoka notes that it is a precondition for foriegn travels to most countries that intending travellers must present their vaccination cards showing evidence of Covid-19 vaccibation before such trips

He further noted that records of Covid-19 vaccination adninosteered by various health authorities  units nationwide are expected to be uploaded in a database which can be be accessed by the Covid-19 units at the various entry and exit points in Nigeria particularly airports

The Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP lawmaker expressed concerns that the  Port Health Services at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airports Abuja which has the primary reponsibility of checking the vaccine and health status of travellers do not ‘ve efficient synergy with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency NPHCDA that takes care of the Covid-19 vaccine role.

He further expressed worries that the NPHDA with all the resources at its disposal cannot maintain effective and efficient handling of its data base such that its website collapses frequentky rendering it mostly inaccessible.

He said:”Also concerned that the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency with all the resources at its disposal cannot maintain effective and effeicient handling of its database such that its website collapses grequently, rendering it most inaccessible”.

The Anambra born lawmaker also informed the House that the National Prumary Healthcare Development Agency NPHDA which is in charge of the vaccination database, has become a service provider for all the airline businesses and does not have a dedicated call centre for resolving travellers Covid-19 related inquiries.

He also hinted that the working environment of the Port Health Services is shabby and grossly ill-equipped.

The motion was immediately suported by Hon Fatu Mohammed (Katsina, APC) who urged the federal government and the health authorities to take deciscive action on the issue.

Consequently, the House presided by the Speaker Hon Femi Gbajabiamila unanimously adopted the motion with a voice vote.

The Speaker urged the federal government to immediately overhaul tbe operations of the Port Health Services and equip the agency to a world class-standard.

He also mandated the House Committee on Healthcare Services to investigate the issuance of fake Covid-19 cards to travellers by the agency and the Covid-19 Units to ensure that such records are duly kept in the approved data base.

Lastly, the House empowered the House Committee to investigate the funds spent on maintaining a national data base of Covid+19 vaccination and the inability of key government agencies to have a real time access to the database and report back to it in four weeks for further action.