Do not Politicise the building of Covid-19 testing centre in Anambra – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP were damn serious when it asked the State or the Federal government to give it a location to set up a testing centre in Anambra State within three weeks.

This much was clarified further after the very impressive COVID-19 intervention by the PDP in the state capital, Awka on Saturday May 16, 2020. The clarification was made by no other than the publicity secretary of the state chapter of the party, Nnamdi Nwangwu.

Speaking to newsmen after the press conference heralding the contribution of N125 million by the PDP Stakeholders in the state, beginning with the vice presidential candidate of the party during last general election, HE Peter Obi with N40 million, the PDP senators representing Anambra with N10 million each, the PDP HoR members representing Anambra with N5 million each, the PDP HoA members with N1 million each and other stakeholders, including 2021 gubernatorial aspirants all contributing handsomely to the palliatives package, Nwangwu emphasised that there was nothing like political talk regarding the request for a location to set up a testing centre.

”The story is usually that Anambra is safe regarding the COVID-19 infections but how can one really ascertain a state is safe if there is no testing centre anywhere in the state?” quipped Nwangwu.

”Testing centres or, at least one, is the first thing a state should set up alongside isolation centres in this battle against this pandemic.

”Yes, the state government is trying but it can definitely do more. It is truly very appalling that a vibrant state like Anambra has no testing centre. Our people need effective tests to know exactly if we’re in danger or not. Allowing everyone to walk freely, even though with facemasks, is not ideal if regular tests are not carried out to ascertain our level of contamination.

”Without tests people walk carelessly about, flaunting social distancing rules recklessly. Setting up testing centres is long overdue but we can no longer overlook this very important aspect,” Nwangwu was very concerned.

He went further to call that the state government, or indeed the federal government, should not politicise the issue by wasting undue time in allocating space to his party to set up a testing centre asap.

”This is not a matter of politics. This is a matter of life and death and we should all work together. The state government can’t do everything, we know and that is the more reason it should shake the hand of assistance being offered to it. Even if it had concluded plans to set up one, having two testing centres in a state is even better, especially if that state is Anambra,” Nwangwu concluded.