The Federal Government has said it would not close the borders over the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, noting that closure of borders is an extreme step with a wide range of consequences.

Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, who said this in Abuja on Saturday, explained that a Presidential Committee has been working to ensure that the disease does not spread in Nigeria.

He said, “Isolated incidence of the death of Patrick Sawyer on account of Ebola is not sufficient for this country to close its borders.

“Closure of borders is an extreme situation that has its own wide range of consequences and so unless it becomes absolutely necessary, we don’t intend to close our borders as long as information comes to us indicates that Nigerian Medical workers and Nigerian Immigration Service and all other Health officials are striving to contend the situation, no need to close our borders.”

The minister stated that no incidence of the disease has been recorded in the country since the death of Sawyer, adding that the presidential committee has been meeting frequently and taking decisions that could keep Nigerians safe from the disease.

According to him, one of the decisions taken by the committee is that screening centres should be established at the ports of entry across the nation and the Nigerian Immigration personnel should collaborate with port health officials to carry out the screening of those coming into the country.

Asked whether the government is contemplating the introduction of health certificate to travellers, the minister said Nigeria as a global player, would not be able to take a unilateral action by introducing certification.

He said,”If you must introduce certification, it means that you must know what you are out for, you must know that yes if you apply this, the person will be free of this , so I think that the issue of certification will only come when everything about Ebola have been examined, vaccines identified for its eradication , cures identified for them, only on such circumstances even if am not a health expert, you can now say that lets acquire certification.”

Meanwhile, a group, the Grassroots Cooperative Nigeria, has called on the FG to embark on massive public enlightenment campaign to sensitize Nigerians on the Ebola virus and other deadly diseases.

The GCN National Coordinator, Diepreye Amadein, said the group plans to carry out a sensitization campaign on Ebola, HIV/AIDS and other deadly diseases, adding that the association would work closely with some relevant government agencies to achieve results.

Amadein said, “We will soon embark on nationwide tour to sensitize the grassroots more on Ebola and other dangerous diseases.”

Amadein stressed the need to join hands in the fight against terrorism, adding that the crime was against all Nigerians irrespective of their political affiliations and religious background.

“We have observed with dismay the turbulent situation the country is passing through now, characterised by hostile and unconstructive opposition, coupled with security challenge of terrorist activities,” he said.