Senate seeks ban on Ethiopian airline flights

As part of preventive measures to cripple the spread of Coronavirus in Nigeria, the Senate during plenary on friday appealed to the Federal Government to place a temporary ban on Ethiopian airline flights to Nigeria to reduce the risk exposure of Nigerians to the deadly virus.

According to the Chairman Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, the call and measure is greatly necessary because the airline operates flights between China and Nigeria for up to 35 times every week, adding that if America can place a flight ban on flights from China, Nigeria has no reason not to the same in order to safeguard the lives of its people.

He also urged the government to immediately set up a “Health War Room” to coordinate screening at all entry points into the country, adding that Nigerians should not to panic following the disease outbreak in Lagos but take preventive measures.

Utazi said: ” I implore the Federal Ministry of Health, as a matter of urgency, to put up a ‘Health War Room’ with trained health personnel that will coordinate and man all the entry points into the country, with a view to screening on board all passengers even before permitting them to disembark from any of their chosen means of transportation.

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“In addition, isolation and quarantine facilities must of necessity be in place in case of emergency.

I urge the Presidency to kindly direct the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to issue a temporary ban on the Ethiopian Airlines flights to and from China, estimated to be 35 times every week, till further notice.

“This is in recognition of the fact that China remains the main source of Coronavirus infection and spread.

“Love of country and national interest should be uppermost in our minds, and should be above any fiduciary consideration at this point in time.

“If developed countries with better and far advanced technology/response mechanisms to handle this epidemic have placed flight ban on China, I wonder why Nigeria is still waiting to do the needful.

“Time is of the essence and the health of Nigerians should come first before any other political and economic considerations. I trust the Presidency to be on the side of Nigerians.”