House of Representatives has directed the Nigeria Center for Disease control NCDC, to take urgent steps to control the spread of new variant of the COVID 19 pandemic, Omicron.
The directive followed a motion by member from Plateau State, Mr Dachung Bagos at plenary adopted by the lawmakers.
In his lead debate, the mover of the motion explained that World Health Organization WHO, designated the new variant as a source of concern based on the evidence that it has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves.
Mr Dachung Bagos, expressed concern that Canada has already recorded two cases of people who traveled recently to Nigeria while a total of 126 kinds of this variant have been detected globally and published.
He emphasized that there seems to be a high number of mutations present in the Omicron variant, saying it is highly transmissible and may also present an increased risk of reinfection compared to other variants of concern.
The lawmaker stressed the need for the NCDC to ensure critical observation and check travel protocols for inbound passengers.
Contributing to the debate, a member from Imo State Henry Nwawuba, was of the opinion that emergence of the new variant is a proof of the need for the house to pass the proposed infectious disease bill as part of plans to stem the tide.
Adopting the motion, the house mandated the Federal Ministry of Health to direct the COVID-19 task force to immediately activate strategies to be implemented in monitoring adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.
Salihu Tsibiri
