I am writing to share my experience about the covid PCR test in Amsterdam, Netherlands. I traveled out of Nigeria, with KLM via Amsterdam. My final destination is Calgary, Canada. I had done the PCR test in Lagos, with Afriglobal, at their location on 20B Ladoke Akintola Street, Ikeja GRA. Lagos. Armed with that essential requirement, I boarded my flight and we took off at 10.35pm on Tuesday 7th December, 2021.

The flight was smooth, but the plane to our joy was scanty. This translated to us having a row to ourselves, plenty leg room and opportunity to sleep with a bit comfort.

We landed at Schipol Airport ahead of schedule according to the pilot, bade goodbyes to acquaintances made during the flight whilst preparing for the second leg of the journey, for those of us going to Canada. There were at least fifteen Nigerians on the second leg to Canada, that I could count. To our dismay, we were told that they would not be boarding us, those going to Calgary, Toronto and other major cities in Canada. The result been that they have stopped honoring PCR tests done in Nigeria. You can imagine our shame and embarrassment as Ghanaians came to the boarding desk, and the result of their tests were deem worthy of recognition. We were given two choices. (1) KLM would fly us back to Nigeria. (2) We can do a covid test within the airport with a lab called Novamediks. The cost to us was two hundred and five Euros per head. It was also not possible to proceed with your flight, as we were told that standard PCR test required at least six hours to run.

The crux of the matter, as we were made aware is that ethics has taken the backstage in some of the labs and assay centres in Nigeria. They are aware of instances whereby people just pay and fail to submit to the tests. This ought to and should stop forthwith, as it is creating embankment for us, not only as individuals, but as a Nation.

My other experiences at the Muritala Muhammed airport are matters for another day. We need a total paradigm shift in our orientation, way of doing things and in customer service
This is the shame we have become as a country. Corruption everywhere that even Covid test certificate is now for the highest bidder.