September 2, 2021

No fewer than 15 intending pilgrims in Delta state have tested positive for coronavirus while 77 could not travel for the pilgrimage to Jordan due to late release of their Covid-19 test results.

A total of 315 Deltans were supposed to have been airlifted to Jordan from the Port Harcourt International Airport. Only 223 eventually travelled as a result of the development.

This has drawn the ire of Delta State Government which on Thursday expressed dismay with the decision of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) to centralise COVID-19 tests for intending pilgrims in the state.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu said in a statement in Asaba, that the centralised COVID-19 test ordered by the NCPC had caused untold hardship to intending pilgrims in the state as 77 of them were not airlifted to Jordan because of the haphazard release of the test results.

Aniagwu said it was disappointing for the intending pilgrims especially as the state had accredited centres to carry out the COVID-19 test in the state.

He apologised to the affected pilgrims for the inconveniences suffered as a result of the botched arrangement, assuring that efforts are being made to remedy the situation.