Control of Infectious Diseases Bill requires more consultation – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reacted to the proposed NCDC bill by the House of Representatives noting that he personally believes that the time of crisis is not the time to draft a bill.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said this on Thursday in Abuja while responding to questions from journalists at the Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID-19.

According to the NCDC boss, although the bill shows that the lawmakers are concerned about the coronavirus pandemic and trying to find solutions, the bill requires consultation to be able to serve Nigeria both in the present and in the future.

“To be honest I saw the bill just like everyone else, circulating on social media. I take it in a good way. I think the members of the House of Reps and everybody is concerned about the situation and what we have found ourselves in. They are doing their very best to come up with the only solution they can come up with which is creating new laws.

“I take it positively but the bill requires more consultation. I’m personally not in favour of drafting a bill in the middle of a crisis. I think we need to get over the crisis and use the momentum to engage with all stakeholders to come up with a bill that will really serve this country.

“We must think through the step carefully and come up with a bill fit for purpose and serves us now and into the future,” he said.