FCT members of staff at one of the vaccination centres

By Festus Fifen.

As The Nigeria Federal Capital Territory Administration plans to implement the enforcement on compulsory Covid-19, vaccination in all its offices for members of staff and visitors alike, vaccination centres around the FCTA premises came alive fully on Wednesday as it witnessed a large Turnout of members of staff ready to be vaccinated.

As early as 8am staff were seen queing to take the vaccine in their numbers.

This development is sequel to a press release on Monday the 10th of January by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and strategic Communication to Minister of FCT, Abubakar Sani, stating that all unvaccinated staff would be barred from accessing FCTA premises with effect from Monday, 17th January, 2022.

This warning according to Sani was contained in a circular signed by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, and issued on Monday 10th January, 2022.

The circular was addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) all Mandate Secretaries, Coordinators of AMMC, STDD as well as Heads of all Departments and FCTA Agencies.

Mr. Olusade said the circular was in line with the one issued earlier by the Federal Government allowing staff on grade level 12 and below to resume duty.

Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, while fielding questions from journalists, said there is no going back on enforcement of the directive from the FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola.

He also emphasised that pictures of vaccination cards on phones would not be accepted.

In his words, “Yesterday when Director Human Resources, Malam Bashir issued a circular and backed by a strong press release, by SSA, Malam Abubakar Sani, we started observing gathering at the vaccination center.

“This morning we are very pleased that many persons trooping in to get vaccinated. Although they are telling us that the center is close to their office but we are also very impressed . We are also elated because we are seeing large number of persons taking their jab, some are taking their second jab and some taking booster jab. We are so happy about it”.

On the enforcement, he said,
“There is no going back, on Monday we are doing enforcement. We have gotten about 2 OB Vans, going round broadcasting in all FCTA owned offices telling staffs to go and vaccinate or go for regular testing.

“On Monday morning, all FCTA and SDAs their premises will see men heavily positioned if you don’t have your vaccination card or your test result very recent one, you won’t be allowed into any of the FCT, SDS, premises. And we will be following up seriously on this and we have also warned people don’t snap your card on your phone, let see the original card, don’t be showing us on phone. And we will be asking for identity cards and we would be matching the identity card with your Covid-19 vaccination card. So that you don’t bring someone else card as your own.
It will be intense and beautiful here on Monday. To get here safe for everyone of us”.