President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria on Sunday directed the redeployment of all Port Health Authority employees previously stationed in the Lagos and Abuja airports to key roads that serve as entry and exit points to restricted zones.
Buhari gave the order during a live broadcast in furtherance to brief the nation about government concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic, even as he maintained that all seaports in Lagos shall remain operational in accordance with the guidelines issued earlier.
He stated that vehicles and drivers conveying essential cargoes from ports to other parts of the country will be screened thoroughly before departure by the Ports Health officials, pointing out that 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.
The President further disclosed that Nigeria, is taking two steps approach in combating the virus, which include first, to protect the lives of fellow Nigerians and residents living the country and second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners to ensure their families get through this very difficult time in dignity and with hope and peace of mind.
According to him, some of the measures will surely cause major inconveniences to many citizens, but added that” these are sacrifices that all should be willing to absorb.
” So far, in Lagos and Abuja, we have recruited hundreds of adhoc staff to man our call centers and support our tracing and testing efforts.
Buhari also declared two weeks cessation of all movements in Lagos Ogun and the FCT with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020.
“Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020. This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States.
” All citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes. Travel to or from other states should be postponed. All businesses and offices within these locations should be fully closed during this period.
” The Governors of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Minister of the FCT have been notified. Furthermore, heads of security and intelligence agencies have also been briefed.
” We will use this containment period to identify, trace and isolate all individuals that have come into contact with confirmed cases. We will ensure the treatment of confirmed cases while restricting further spread to other States.
The President also affirmed that the Presidential Task Force remains the central coordinating body on the COVID-19 response and all contributions and donations should be coordinated and centralized to ensure efficient and impactful spending.
While calling on well meaning Nigerians to join hands and support the fight of the virus, Buhari directed that all Federal Government Stadia, Pilgrims camps and other facilities be converted to isolation center s.
“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.
“We also call on all Nigerians to take personal responsibility to support those who are vulnerable within their communities, helping them with whatever they may need.
. “I want to assure you all that Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies with a role to play in the outbreak response are working hard to bring this virus under control.
“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.
