Tony Akowe, Abuja
There was a mild drama on Tuesday as Members of the House of Representatives refused to allow a motion calling for the evacuation of Nigerians in Wuhan, China even before the motion was moved by the Chairman of the House Committee on Media, Rep. Benjamin Kalu
Wuhan, China is the city where the dreaded corona virus emanated from and Nigerians in the city had sent an SOS home that they want to return.
Intended mover of the motion, Rep Kalu had sought the permission of the House to move a motion of urgent public importance on the need to evacuate Nigerians from the city.
A stunned Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila fought hard to ensure the motion is moved by Hon. Kalu, but members would not allow the motion to be moved as the House became rowdy as members kick against it.
Deputy House Leader who was a co-sponsor of the motion however sought to withdraw the motion in view of the stand of the members, but the Speaker said it was only the main sponsor that can withdraw it, while the Minority Leader who was also one of the co-sponsors refrain from seconding the motion allowing Hon. Kalu to take his motion.
The Speaker appealed to members to allow the motion to be moved, but members will not allow the motion, insisting that China have better facilities to take care of the virus.
The Speaker told his colleagues that it was out of place to allow Nigerians remain in China and appeal that they listen to motion and reject it after debate on it, but members refused to allow the motion to be moved.
The Nation observed that immediately Rep Kalu sought the leave of the House to move the motion, members started grumbling, while the House later became rowdy as they resisted every move by the Speaker to ensure that the motion was moved.
The motion which was co-sponsored by about 40 other members had sought the House resolution to asking the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Quarantine Services, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, and other relevant agencies to set up screening centres at all ports of entry into the country to screen and watch out, with the view of preventing the virus from spreading into the country.
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The motion also sought a resolution asking the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with other relevant agencies to set up testing and isolation centres in all points of entry into the country for the purpose of detecting symptoms of the virus and where necessary isolate cases, with particular emphasis on travelers from countries that have already had cases of the virus.
He also wanted all health institutions within the country to be on high alert for signs of the virus with a view of stopping the virus from spreading in the event that the virus is transmitted into the country; mandate the Committees on Healthcare Services, and Interior to ensure compliance; and still urge the Federal Government to declare Public Health emergency as a result of the coronavirus outbreak in China (HR. 01/01/2020).
Hon. Kalu also wanted the House to call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to urgently constitute and authorize an lnter-Ministerial Task Force, comprising of Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Aviation, to ensure quick, successful and infection-free evacuation of all Nigerians currently trapped in the city of Wuhan and environs back to Nigeria.
He asked the House to direct that a reception facilities where properties recovered by government. where returnees from China will be received, screened, kept and certified fit and free from coronavirus before they are allowed free movement within the country, be set up within the next 30 days.
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