Compulsory COVID-19 Vaccination: Government Agency, EDOGIS Shut Down Operations As Angry Youths Stage Protest, Demand Revenue Refund In Edo

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Ahead Monday planned mass action against Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki by youths in the state, some angry youths today staged protest at the entrance of the Edo State Geographic Information Service, EDOGIS to demand refund of the revenue paid for the processing and obtaining of land Certificate of Occupancy, C-of-O since the agency locked its gate against unvaccinated persons.

The action of the group may have forced the agency to close its operations and thus according to press statement published on the agency social media account few hours ago, EDOGIS directed the general public to use its alternative channels to contact the office for the meantime.

It would be recalled Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has started the enforcement of compulsory COVID-19 vaccination in the state earlier this month, stopping unvaccinated persons and people who refused to present themselves for COVID-19 vaccination access to public places in the state.

The enforcement has forced many youths in the state to plan and start mass protest against the governor action coming Monday.

“The Edo State Government through the Ministry of Health is enforcing the restriction of entry to government offices to non-vaccinated persons.

“Consequently, officials of the State Ministry of Health will be inspecting all visitors and customers to EDOGIS offices for compliance.

“We, therefore, wish to inform the general public to make use of our various electronic channels to contact the office in the meantime. Our offices remain open physically, for business to all citizens compliant with the State Government health regulations”, EDOGIS said in a statement this afternoon.

One of the protesting youths, and a human rights activist, Osazee Edigin, said if the EDOGIS like they can close their office till eternity but all he needed is to get service for the money he paid for.

“If EDOGIS like, they can shut down their office till eternity. What I want is service to be rendered for what I paid for or a total refund of my money.

“I can’t give you my money then you think you can set the rules you never had when I was paying because you feel you are a government agency.

“That won’t happen in my generation.

“I can decide to do a C of O or not, properties with C of O can still be revoked, what’s is the usefulness of it then?

“Make una give me my offer letter and C of O or give me refund my money. Shikena!”, Osazee Edigin said.

Osazee Edigin went further to the personal Facebook profile of the Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service, EDOGIS, Mr Frank Osa Evbuomwan to engage the authority to refund the money paid or send his C-of-O to him through courier service.

Frank Evbuomwan defended the action of the Edo State Government that EDOGIS few weeks ago earlier closed down because 4 of its staff became ill of COVID-19.

“We always practice what we preach. A few weeks ago, I had to close down EdoGIS because at least 4 of our staff became ill with Covid 19 with one of them requiring emergency hospitalization.

“Luckily, they all survived the experience. It is therefore a no-brainer that EDOGIS is fully in support of the actions of the State Government (through the State Ministry of Health) to help tackle this pandemic.

“We fully acknowledge and respect the rights of the people who choose not to get vaccinated; but at the same time, we reserve our rights to protect ourselves from potential carriers of the pandemic”, Frank Evbuomwan said.