Gbenro Adesina
A month and two days after the outbreak of Coronavirus in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has addressed the nation today March 29 2020.
It would be recalled that the first case of the deadly disease in Nigeria was confirmed on Thursday February 27, 2020.
In his address at 7pm, Buhari confirmed that as at this morning, the nation has 97 cases, after which three more cases have been recorded in Oyo State affecting three professors of the University of Ibadan (UI).
He, however, added: “Regrettably, we also had our first fatality, a former employee of PPMC, who died on 23rd March 2020”, he added.
As part of measures to contain the spread of the virus, the President announced some astringents condition on the nation explaining, “Some of these measures will surely cause major inconveniences to many citizens. But these are sacrifices we should all be willing and ready to make for the greater good of our country”.
Pointing out that Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have the majority of confirmed cases in Nigeria, he announced that N15billion initial intervention fund has been approved to support the national response.
“So far, in Lagos and Abuja, we have recruited hundreds of ad hoc staff to man our call centres and support our tracing and testing efforts”, he revealed.
Sequel to this, the President directed the cessation of all movements in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun State for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020 saying, “This order does not apply to hospitals and all related medical establishments as well as organisations in health care related manufacturing and distribution. Furthermore, commercial establishments such as; food processing, distribution and retail companies; petroleum distribution and retail entities, power generation, transmission and distribution companies; and private security companies. Although these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored. Workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff who can prove they are unable to work from home are also exempted”.
“All seaports in Lagos shall remain operational in accordance with the guidelines I issued earlier. Vehicles and drivers conveying essential cargoes from these Ports to other parts of the country will be screened thoroughly before departure by the Ports Health Authority. Furthermore, all vehicles conveying food and other essential humanitarian items into these locations from other parts of the country will also be screened thoroughly before they are allowed to enter these restricted areas”, he added.
Buhari expressed, “We are fully aware that such measures will cause much hardship and inconvenience to many citizens. But this is a matter of life and death, if we look at the dreadful daily toll of deaths in Italy, France and Spain. However, we must all see this as our national and patriotic duty to control and contain the spread of this virus. I will therefore ask all of us affected by this order to put aside our personal comfort to safeguard ourselves and fellow human beings. This common enemy can only be controlled if we all come together and obey scientific and medical advice. As we remain ready to enforce these measures, we should see this as our individual contribution in the war against COVID-19. Many other countries have taken far stricter measures in a bid to control the spread of the virus with positive results”.
The president also announced some welfare packages for the mostly affected and vulnerable individuals promising that some relief materials would be deplored to residents of satellite and commuter towns and communities around Lagos and Abuja.
He said, “Furthermore, I have directed that a three month repayment moratorium for all TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans be implemented with immediate effect. I have also directed that a similar moratorium be given to all Federal Government funded loans issued by the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and the Nigeria Export Import Bank. For on-lending facilities using capital from international and multilateral development partners, I have directed our development financial institutions to engage these development partners and negotiate concessions to ease the pains of the borrowers. For the most vulnerable in our society, I have directed that the conditional cash transfers for the next two months be paid immediately. Our Internally displaced persons will also receive two months of food rations in the coming weeks”.
