The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has directed an urgent investigation into reports of a new COVID-19 case in Cross River State, amid growing concerns over the strength of public health surveillance systems in Nigeria.
The directive, issued at the end of plenary on Thursday, mandates the Senate Committee on Health to carry out a comprehensive probe into the reported case and submit its findings at the next legislative sitting.
The committee, chaired by Senator Ipalibo Banigo, is expected to assess the circumstances surrounding the reported infection, including testing protocols, monitoring systems, and the broader readiness of health authorities to respond to potential outbreaks.
The reported isolated case has sparked renewed public health attention, raising questions about the effectiveness of disease surveillance and response mechanisms at both state and national levels.
Authorities are expected to examine whether existing frameworks for early detection and containment are functioning optimally, particularly in light of previous lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health experts have continued to stress the importance of sustained vigilance, noting that even isolated cases require rapid response to prevent possible spread.
The Senate’s intervention signals heightened legislative concern over Nigeria’s preparedness for infectious disease threats and the need to strengthen coordination across health agencies.
Further updates are expected once the committee concludes its investigation and presents its report.
