Mr Michael Yigao, Managing Director, China Civil Engineering
Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd, says the 15 Chinese
medical experts that arrived in the country on April 8 are in the
company’s care.
Yigao made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja while reacting to
questions raised by the media and opposition parties on May 14, as
to the whereabouts of the Chinese medical team.
This followed comment by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire,
that the experts, who reportedly came into Nigeria to support the
fight against COVID-19, were not his guests but those of CCECC.
Ehanire, while responding to questions at the daily Presidential
Task Force on COVID-19 briefing May 14, said “the medical personnel
are not guests of the Federal Government but that of the
construction company”.
Yigao, who corroborated this while speaking with newsmen,
confirmed that the experts came into the country to share their
experiences in fighting the COVID-19.
It will be recalled that some Nigerians had kicked against the
decision to invite the medical experts, saying the country had
enough doctors to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) even described the move
as an embarrassment to the association and other health workers who
were giving their best in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic under
“deplorable working conditions”.
However, Yigao clarified that the team came specially to help
CCECC fight this pandemic and protect its employees.
“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
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 said.
He said the medical experts would be heading home as soon as
there was a commercial flight to China.
“Right now, commercial flight to China is not open, but when
flights are open again, we’re considering the team going back to
China.”
He praised the Nigerian government for how they had been able to
contain the pandemic so far.
“In a big country like Nigeria, it can be a bit difficult to
control a pandemic because you will have to make all the people of
such a large country understand that it is serious and real
thing.
“I think Nigeria is taking this very seriously and you can see
it in the implementation of the lockdown and 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 and training
people on how to handle the virus”.
He said that his company would like to build on the strong
mutual relationship between Nigeria and China.
“ 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 from the people, we
will win this war.
“I hope the people of Nigeria understand that we need the help
of all peoples across the world to win this fight against
Coronavirus,’’ he added.
He said that CCECC would continue to give quality support to the
Nigerian people in all areas.
“CCECC is a Nigerian company based here for nearly 40 years, and
most of the staff here are Nigerians, so we have a Nigerian
voice.
“At CCECC, we have a company standard and we do not compromise,
you can see our touch in the airport terminals, Abuja Isolation
Centres, Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos rail lines etc.
“You can see our works at the Airport Terminals, they are one of
the finest in Africa, we at CCECC will not compromise standards for
any price.(NAN)
Mr Michael Yigao, Managing Director, China Civil Engineering
Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd, says the 15 Chinese
medical experts that arrived in the country on April 8 are in the
company’s care.
Yigao made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja while reacting to
questions raised by the media and opposition parties on May 14, as
to the whereabouts of the Chinese medical team.
This followed comment by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire,
that the experts, who reportedly came into Nigeria to support the
fight against COVID-19, were not his guests but those of CCECC.
Ehanire, while responding to questions at the daily Presidential
Task Force on COVID-19 briefing May 14, said “the medical personnel
are not guests of the Federal Government but that of the
construction company”.
Yigao, who corroborated this while speaking with newsmen,
confirmed that the experts came into the country to share their
experiences in fighting the COVID-19.
It will be recalled that some Nigerians had kicked against the
decision to invite the medical experts, saying the country had
enough doctors to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) even described the move
as an embarrassment to the association and other health workers who
were giving their best in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic under
“deplorable working conditions”.
However, Yigao clarified that the team came specially to help
CCECC fight this pandemic and protect its employees.
“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
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 said.
He said the medical experts would be heading home as soon as
there was a commercial flight to China.
“Right now, commercial flight to China is not open, but when
flights are open again, we’re considering the team going back to
China.”
He praised the Nigerian government for how they had been able to
contain the pandemic so far.
“In a big country like Nigeria, it can be a bit difficult to
control a pandemic because you will have to make all the people of
such a large country understand that it is serious and real
thing.
“I think Nigeria is taking this very seriously and you can see
it in the implementation of the lockdown and 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 and training
people on how to handle the virus”.
He said that his company would like to build on the strong
mutual relationship between Nigeria and China.
“ 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 from the people, we
will win this war.
“I hope the people of Nigeria understand that we need the help
of all peoples across the world to win this fight against
Coronavirus,’’ he added.
He said that CCECC would continue to give quality support to the
Nigerian people in all areas.
“CCECC is a Nigerian company based here for nearly 40 years, and
most of the staff here are Nigerians, so we have a Nigerian
voice.
“At CCECC, we have a company standard and we do not compromise,
you can see our touch in the airport terminals, Abuja Isolation
Centres, Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos rail lines etc.
“You can see our works at the Airport Terminals, they are one of
the finest in Africa, we at CCECC will not compromise standards for
any price.(NAN)