By Gift Olivia Samuel The Sight News
The Managing Director, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria, Mr. Michael Jiang has revealed that the 15 Chinese team of Medical experts that arrived Nigeria on April 8, 2020 are with them.
Jiang, who said this in an interview with Journalists on Monday in Abuja, confirmed that the experts came into the country, “to share their experiences in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Recall that the media has been agog over the whereabouts of the medical team, even as the statement by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, that the experts were not his guests but CCECC, raised more questions.
Ehanire, who made the statement while responding to questions at the daily Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing on Thursday, said the medical personnel, “are not guests of the federal government but, a construction company”.
However, the CCECC MD clarified that the team came specially to help CCECC fight the COVID-19 pandemic and protect its numerous employees across the country.
According to him, “The team had a telecast meeting with the Minister of Health and some doctors around the country and shared their experience in China on how they’re fighting the virus and the meeting was very positive.
“They are here with us and have continued to teach our staff on how to protect themselves because protection and prevention are more important than the treatment.
“Most of the workers understand the situation now and they know the risk, so they follow the proper procedures, and cooperate with their instructors”.
He, however, said that the medical experts will be heading home as soon as there is a commercial flight to China.
“Right now commercial flights to China are not open yet, but when the flights are open again, we’re considering the team going back to China”, he said.
He praised the Nigerian government on how they have been able to contain the pandemic so far.
“I think Nigeria is taking this very seriously and you can see it in the implementation of the lockdown, the suspension of international flights etc. And like other companies in Nigeria, we will do whatever we can to help the country, like building treatment centres, training people on how to handle the virus”, he noted.
He further said that the relationship between Nigeria and China is becoming strong, therefore the CCECC will build on that strong relationship and also, continue to give quality support to the Nigerian People in all areas.
“Upon request from the Nigerian government, we gave necessary support, like building treatment centres and at the same time delivered some health related equipment.
“We understand the COVID-19 pandemic challenge in Nigeria because we are based here and have a lot of employees and we do believe that with efforts from the government, and from the people we will win this situation”, he enthused.
