Group seeks probe into alleged sale of COVID-19 vaccination cards

A civil rights movement under the aegis of the Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education has raised the alarm over the alleged involvement of some officials of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency in the collection of N5,000 to issue COVID-19 vaccination cards, without the collectors taking the vaccines, saying it should be probed.

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This allegation was made by the Executive Director of CHRICED, Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi,  in a letter to the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, titled, ‘Open letter on alleged fraudulent activities, specifically with respect to sale of COVID-19 vaccination cards by unscrupulous NPHCDA officials: Call for urgent investigation and action’.

“As a frontline organisation working to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we write to draw your attention to reports from credible media platforms detailing how some unscrupulous, and unpatriotic officials of the NPHCDA have been engaging in the corrupt and utterly reprehensible practice of collecting N5000 to issue COVID-19 vaccination cards, without the collectors taking the vaccines.

“According to one of such reports by the Media West Africa Foundation, several vaccine sceptics who are objecting to taking the vaccines but need the cards for the purpose of travelling are being made to pay N5000 for the vaccination card, without taking the vaccine.

“To say the least, these allegations are disturbing. The serious infractions which have been detailed in these investigative reports are capable of undermining the entire purpose of the vaccination process, to which the Federal Government of Nigeria and the entire community have committed enormous resources.

“CHRICED is also worried that these sharp practices, reprehensible and unbridled acts of petty corruption, if not checked and nipped in the bud, would undermine the valiant national and global efforts being put into the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria and around the world.

“It is equally pertinent to note that with such embarrassing attempts to corrupt the vaccination process, the credibility of Nigeria in the comity of nations, would be severely dented. If these acts of alleged official malfeasance are not investigated, and the perpetrators prosecuted, the credibility and acceptance of Nigerian vaccination cards on the global stage would be seriously affected,” Zikirullahi said.

Adama/Punch