FG set possibly for nationwide lockdown
The Presidential Task Force Chairman, Boss Mustapha in a meeting held with the National Assembly leaders, said the PTF had collected necessary data on measures including lockdown in all states.
He stated, “There is acquisition of intelligence data to guide implementation of control measures such as may emanate from restrictions and or lockdowns of parts or all of the states.”
Mustapha noted that Nigeria had increased the number of molecular laboratories from five to nine, which would rise to 11 on Friday (today).
The PTF chairman said there was mobilisation of resources at the states and local government areas in preparation for the possible spread of the Covid-19 pandemic to communities.
According to him, strategies adopted by the PTF in conjunction with the states, include testing, detection, isolation, contact tracing and management.
Mustapha also said, “For transparency and accountability, the PTF will not be directly involved in the collection and disbursement of the cash donations for COVID-19. The Accountant General of the Federation has already published the account details for collection through some commercial banks and also provided the modalities for its utilisation.
“All the main COVID-19 accounts shall be domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria. However, all non-cash donations shall be duly received by the PTF, acknowledged, documented and appropriately deployed.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has stolen both our health and our wealth. The impact of this is not only on the national economy, but on the poor, the aged, the sick and the vulnerable. Out of concern for these categories of persons, the President has approved a stimulus of over N500bn and the employment of 774,000 Nigerians.”
The President of the Senate, Lawan, advised the PTF to work on the harmonisation of the funds contributed by organisations and individuals to combat the novel coronavirus, noting that there must be an effective service delivery to Nigerians.
Lawan advised the PTF as the central body overseeing the activities of all agencies related to the control of the pandemic, for proper coordination, and to be extra vigilant with the finances by ensuring that there were no multiple accounts.
