Ex-IPAC chairman faults gov on purchase of 50 cars to fight virus

A former Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Cross River State, Goddie Akpama, has expressed displeasure over purchase of 50 brand new cars by Governor Ben Ayade to fight the dreaded Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.

He described it as a waste of resources.

 In a statement made available to journalists in Calabar, Akpama, a former governorship candidate of the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA), stated that the money used in the purchase of the cars by the governor could have been used in setting up a testing centre and equipping isolation centres in the event of an occurrence of the virus in the state.

“Let me state categorically that the 50 cars are a misplaced priority because they cannot address the immediate health challenges the state is faced with. Having looked critically at the use which those cars have been put to, I am of the view that purchasing more ambulances would have been better for the state because they would serve present and future uses in cases of health emergencies,” he said.

Akpama, who stated said that though there was no officially reported case of Coronavirus in the state, said the period of absence of any positive case should serve as a window of opportunity for adequate preparation against it because it has no boundary.

He said that he was of the opinion that the funds expended in the purchase of the 50 cars could have been applied in setting up at least one testing centre, and well-equipped isolation centres in each of the three senatorial districts so that people can easily access the needed attention when it becomes necessary.

Akpama also took a swipe at the compulsory wearing of masks imposed by the governor on people of the state, stating that if wearing of the nose masks serve as prevention against contracting Coronavirus, there wouldn’t have been any need advising people to wash their hands regularly, maintain personal hygiene, and maintain social distancing.