In a courtesy visit to the office of the Commissioner for Information, Mr Asu Okang by the outgoing commandant of NNS Victory Calabar, Rare Admiral Okeke in company of the incoming commandant and in the presence of the State Security Adviser Central, Ransom Odey and the Permanent Secretary, Special Services –Governor’s Office, Mr Alfred Mboto, the Nigerian Navy offered further clarifications on the purported training of personnel on the use the gene expert machine at the Nigerian Navy Reference hospital in Calabar.
The team which came on the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, regretted that the Nigeria Navy authorities did not approve of the exercise, adding that the entire Naval heirachy in the state was surprised at the officer’s action.
The leader of the delegation, Rare Admiral Okeke explained that the officer in question had in the last five years been in training with centre for disease control and upon return to calabar, only took advantage of his personal contacts to attempt an exercise which he had no permission to undertake.
Also judging from the sensitive nature of the matter at a time like this, when people are sensitive to anything that could create suspicion on the ravaging covid-19 pandemic.
The visiting team also revealed the intention of the Nigerian Navy to build an isolation centre at Akpabuyo in support of the State Government’s effort in the fight against the covid-19 pandemic and expressed solidarity with the manner the state has managed the pandemic thus far, adding that if there would be any of such intentions in the future, the state Government will be fully notified as the fight against covid-19 is a collective one.He also hinted that the officer in question has since been sanctioned.
In response, the Commissioner thanked them for the clarifications made and pledged CRS government’s determination to partner all Federal institutions in the state in the interest of our people and in the fight against the covid -19 pandemic.
