INVESTIGATION: Lagos officials sell no-pick COVID-19 vaccination cards, sell fake but 'authentic' test results
Following the recent relaxation of security measures against the coronavirus pandemic by the Nigerian government, this journalist was on the lookout for vaccination centers on the streets of Lagos, to, at least, know the status of the centers and what they have become should there be another wave or new outbreaks of infection.
But in addition to seeing poorly run facilities, the reporter also encountered business driven by unscrupulous officials who fed on the grease of the pandemic that once put the whole world on its toes.
One of these corrupt officials is Solomon Oriere, a nurse attached to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Accredited Immunization Center located on the premises of the State Teaching Hospital from Lagos (LASUTH), Ikeja.
It is not known whether he is employed by LASUTH or the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board (LSPHCB). But as he is commonly known in the health facility, Mr. Solomon is a trusted man for anyone who needs COVID-19 test results or vaccination cards.
Solomon Oriere "You don't need to come here, everything I need n from someone in need o The result or the card is just the money paid into my account, and it will be provided,” boasted Mr. Solomon, adding that “In fact, we use services courier to deliver to those out of state without seeing them. »
He also offered a 12.5% discount for test referrals, saying the reporter could pocket 5,000 naira for each referral.
"For the card or test result, just send me the name, phone number, date of birth, email address and home address of the person who might need it and I will backdate it because normally if you want to take it, it takes about eight months, for the first dose, the second dose and the booster doses.
“Before you can take a booster on its own, it takes six months, the first and second take a month more each, or about seven and eight months,” he added.
The quarantine bay near LASUTH's main gate may have been temporarily converted to a clinic for diabetes patients following the significant drop in COVID-19 cases, but inside are officials who are doing good business thanks to the pandemic that once caused the whole world to go into lockdown.
These agents take advantage of unsuspecting residents who show up for a vaccination that is supposed to be free.
Near the bay is a makeshift office that may have served as a check-in point for newly admitted COVID-19 patients during the height of the pandemic. This is where Mr. Solomon now operates and manages his business.
Following the recent relaxation of security measures against the coronavirus pandemic by the Nigerian government, this journalist was on the lookout for vaccination centers on the streets of Lagos, to, at least, know the status of the centers and what they have become should there be another wave or new outbreaks of infection.
But in addition to seeing poorly run facilities, the reporter also encountered business driven by unscrupulous officials who fed on the grease of the pandemic that once put the whole world on its toes.
One of these corrupt officials is Solomon Oriere, a nurse attached to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Accredited Immunization Center located on the premises of the State Teaching Hospital from Lagos (LASUTH), Ikeja.
It is not known whether he is employed by LASUTH or the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board (LSPHCB). But as he is commonly known in the health facility, Mr. Solomon is a trusted man for anyone who needs COVID-19 test results or vaccination cards.
Solomon Oriere "You don't need to come here, everything I need n from someone in need o The result or the card is just the money paid into my account, and it will be provided,” boasted Mr. Solomon, adding that “In fact, we use services courier to deliver to those out of state without seeing them. »
He also offered a 12.5% discount for test referrals, saying the reporter could pocket 5,000 naira for each referral.
"For the card or test result, just send me the name, phone number, date of birth, email address and home address of the person who might need it and I will backdate it because normally if you want to take it, it takes about eight months, for the first dose, the second dose and the booster doses.
“Before you can take a booster on its own, it takes six months, the first and second take a month more each, or about seven and eight months,” he added.
The quarantine bay near LASUTH's main gate may have been temporarily converted to a clinic for diabetes patients following the significant drop in COVID-19 cases, but inside are officials who are doing good business thanks to the pandemic that once caused the whole world to go into lockdown.
These agents take advantage of unsuspecting residents who show up for a vaccination that is supposed to be free.
Near the bay is a makeshift office that may have served as a check-in point for newly admitted COVID-19 patients during the height of the pandemic. This is where Mr. Solomon now operates and manages his business.
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