By Aiyeku Timothy
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Thursday expressed fears that the Nigerian Communications Commission’s directive on the National Identification Number (NIN) could lead to a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Recall that the NCC had on Tuesday directed telecommunications companies to deactivate telephone lines of users who failed to link their NIN to subscribers’ identification modules within two weeks.
There is now an increase in COVID-19 cases across the country as 5,809 people were infected between December 7 and December 16 with fears that the second wave is on the high side.
NMA President, Professor Innocent Uja in an interview expressed worry that more people could be infected at the NIN centres if they disregarded safety protocols.
Uja said, “People and those officials should ensure strict compliance with the NCDC (Nigeria Centre Disease Control) protocols, such as social distancing and wearing of face masks. If people do not comply with the protocols, it may cause another wave.”
Also expressing concern, Professor Olufemi Olaleye of the Department of Virology, University of Ibadan, said the risk of spread of COVID-19 could increase as a result of large crowds at the NIN centres across the country.
Giving a response on the possibility of a spike in cases, he said, “Yes, indeed, there is the possibility of a super spreading situation if mouth/nose coverings are not used just at large gathering without appropriate precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19 virus.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government on Thursday confirmed that Nigeria had entered the second wave of coronavirus infections.
Standing in for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the PTF, Boss Mustapha, who is on self-isolation, the acting Chairman of the PTF and Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in a press conference in Abuja said, “The real threat is upon humanity and the progress made in the global health sector in the last five decades or more.
“In Nigeria, the indication is that we have entered a second wave of infections and we stand the risk of not just losing the gains from the hard work of the last nine months but also losing the precious lives of our citizens.
“The PTF believes that if we do the right things, adhere to the NPIs and step up our testing and detection, loss of lives will be minimized and the rising curve will begin to flatten out.”
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA), has also blasted the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami for directing telecommunications companies to compel their subscribers to re-register their mobile numbers by linking it to their National Identity Card numbers.
