By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) today commenced an aggressive drive for COVID-19 vaccination or show your valid card for entry into all its office premises.
Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Ikharo Attah who led the enforcement team to all FCTA Secretariats, Departments and Agencies, said that although no staff or visitors is forced to take the vaccines, every individual must present either a vaccination card or a negative COVID-19 test result to gain access to the premises.
He stated that this drive is necessary amid the surging cases of Omicron variant in the territory adding that stringent measures must be taken to protect staff and everyone that has anything to do with the administration.
Attah explained that the administration has given staff enough time to choose between any of the options approved, to avoid the stressed of being turned back at the gate.
“We have given a full week for advocacy, and we got a van that went round announcing it. Circulars were also circulated in line with the one earlier issued out by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, that staff who are not vaccinated. ”
” For those who choose not to be vaccinated, have the option to get a negative test result. So if you bring your vaccination card or the negative test result, any of the two can suffice.”
” Even if you feel you should not be vaccinated, you have the option to get us a negative test result, of not more than 3 days old, and you will get access.”
” People thought that we are not serious here, but they have come to let them know that when the Ministers, Malam Muhammad Bello, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu and the Permanent Secretary say something, they mean it.”
Meanwhile, a visit by journalists to offices of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Central Area, Social Development Secretariat, Area 10, Garki, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, wuse zone 6 and other showed strict compliance.
Daybreak also observed that there is a rush by vaccination seekers both staff and non staff at all the approved centres.
