The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has expressed disbelief and lamented the current state of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.
Mr Boss Mustapha who serves as the chairman of the presidential task force on COVID-19 made this known in a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly .
“I can tell you for sure, I never knew that our entire healthcare infrastructure was in the state in which it is. Until I was appointed to do this work,”. Mr Mustapha admitted
The SGF said if advanced countries are overwhelmed and struggling to contain the COVID-19 virus, “then Nigeria needs to improve its own”. He added, “My prayer is that Nigeria’s situation does not escalate to that extent because the country lacked what is required to handle the situation.”
He also spoke on the need for accountability in managing the health crisis. According to Mr Mustapha, the task force will not be directly involved in the disbursement of 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,” he said
The SGF also said the COVID-19 pandemic had provided an opportunity to carry out reforms and ensure more funding for the country’s health system.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has expressed disbelief and lamented the current state of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.
Mr Boss Mustapha who serves as the chairman of the presidential task force on COVID-19 made this known in a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly .
“I can tell you for sure, I never knew that our entire healthcare infrastructure was in the state in which it is. Until I was appointed to do this work,”. Mr Mustapha admitted
The SGF said if advanced countries are overwhelmed and struggling to contain the COVID-19 virus, “then Nigeria needs to improve its own”. He added, “My prayer is that Nigeria’s situation does not escalate to that extent because the country lacked what is required to handle the situation.”
He also spoke on the need for accountability in managing the health crisis. According to Mr Mustapha, the task force will not be directly involved in the disbursement of 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,” he said
The SGF also said the COVID-19 pandemic had provided an opportunity to carry out reforms and ensure more funding for the country’s health system.
Power distribution companies said that the two – month free electricity to customers announced on Wednesday would be paid for by the National Assembly and the Federal Government.
Speaking through their umbrella body , the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors , the power firms said they were aligning with the National Assembly and Federal Government’ s efforts to provide free electricity for two months as a palliative for the effects of the COVID- 19 pandemic on Nigerian electricity consumers .
The Executive Director and spokesperson for ANED , Sunday Oduntan, said , “ The energy to be supplied for the two months is not free from the Discos but is being paid for by the Federal Government in partnership with the National Assembly .
“ As such, the ability for the Discos to go forward is subject to the stimulus package being passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by Mr President .
“ While this palliative seeks to mitigate the economic challenges that Nigerians are being subjected to during this COVID- 19 period , it is our hope that we not lose sight of the no -cost reflective tariff challenges that the Discos continue to suffer under . ”
He said the power firms lauded the President , members of his government and the National Assembly for the initiative .
Oduntan said the clarification was due to questions that had arisen around how the cost would be absorbed by the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry .
Asked when customers would start enjoying the free electricity , Oduntan said , “ Not known until the National Assembly finish their discussion with the Federal Government. ”
The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ), will today ( Friday) meet with the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 over the lockdown imposed on the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states .
The PUNCH gathered that the task force would brief the President on the war against COVID – 19 and the possibility of extending the two – week lockdown in the FCT, Ogun and Lagos states as well as including other parts of the country.
But at a meeting with the National Assembly leaders , the task force said it had gathered data to enforce “ lockdown of parts or all of the states ” in the country .
One of the officials, who confirmed the President ’ s meeting with the task force , told one of news correspondents that reports and recommendations were still being awaited from some state governors .
He said , “ The President was supposed to be briefed this evening ( Thursday evening) , but we had to delay because we are waiting for reports and recommendations from some affected states . All things being equal , the President will be briefed on Friday and will take necessary actions. ”
When asked if the President would extend the lockdown , the source said , “ During the announcement some 10 days ago , the President made it clear that the lockdown would be for an initial period of 14 days.
“ What this means is that there is a likelihood of extension , but it will be done only after due consultation with the states . ”
However , a senior official of an isolation centre in Abuja told one of our correspondents that a recommendation had been made for an extension.
The source said the move had become necessary because of a suspected community spread.
The doctor , who wished to remain anonymous, said some persons , who tested positive for coronavirus , had not travelled before .
He said , “We in the FCT have recommended an extension of the lockdown because we believe we are now facing a community spread. For instance , one of the people who tested positive is a cook that has never travelled before .
“ The cook ’ s boss recently returned from outside the country, but the boss tested negative . So , where did the cook get it from ? We are also working on a report by the World Health Organisation that COVID- 19 can be spread through currency .
“ We have submitted our report to the case management team, which will in turn submit a report to the emergency operational committee for final submission to the presidential task force . However , we did not state in the report how many days should be added to the lockdown . We don ’ t know if our recommendation will be accepted . ”
It was also gathered that the lockdown might be extended to all parts of the country to enable health workers conduct more tests and fish out people who had contracted the virus .
“ More states are recording COVID- 19 cases. We may also consider the possibility of making the lockdown nationwide , at least for a week. We cannot rule out the fact that there is COVID- 19 in states that have not recorded any case , ” another official told newsmen .
The President , had in a nationwide broadcast on March 29 , ordered lockdown of the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states for two weeks beginning from 11 pm on March 30 .
According to him , the lockdown will enable government to trace and treat those who have contracted the virus .
More than a week that the lockdown began in Lagos State and the FCT, COVID- 19 cases in the country has jumped from 111 to 290 , with the virus spreading to 16 states .
The states are Lagos , Oyo , Osun , Ogun, Kaduna , Enugu , Edo, Delta , Bauchi , Ekiti , Rivers, Benue , Akwa Ibom , Ondo , Kwara, and Katsina .
Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 in Lagos on Tuesday said before the end of this week, it would submit its report to Buhari , who would decide on the lockdown .
Besides the FCT, Lagos , and Ogun states where the President had ordered lockdown , some states including Osun , Kwara , Plateau and Rivers had also taken a similar action .
We have collected data for possible lockdown in all states – PTF
During the meeting with the National Assembly leaders , the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force , Boss Mustapha , 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 . ”
The PTF chairman noted that Nigeria had increased the number of molecular laboratories from five to nine , which would rise to 11 on Friday (today ).
Mustapha said there was mobilisation of resources at the states and local government areas in preparation for the possible spread of the coronavirus 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 N 500 bn 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 coronavirus , noting that there must be an effective service delivery to Nigerians .
Lawan said that there was no coordination of donations among ministries, agencies and private entities . He urged the task force to work on the aggregation of donations .
Bauchi State Governor , Bala Mohammed , has tested negative for coronavirus , according to reports .
The governor, who had tested positive for the virus on March 24 , said via his Twitter handle that he now tests negative for the virus .
He said he just received his second negative test result while appreciating those who supported him with prayers during the intervening period .
He also appreciated the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control as well as religious leaders within and outside the state .
He wrote , “ Alhamdulillah . I just received the green light . My second test for # COVID 19 returned negative . I thank you all for your prayers & support even while I was in isolation . Most importantly , all the praises & thanks be to Allah – the Most Beneficent , the Most Merciful . # GreaterBauchi
“ My gratitude also goes to our religious leaders within and outside the state for their constant prayers, also our meticulous Bauchi # COVID ー19 team and the NCDC. ”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has left intensive care , where he had spent the three previous days for treatment against coronavirus , his Downing Street office said .
“ The Prime Minister has been moved this evening from intensive care back to the ward , where he will receive close monitoring during the early phase of his recovery, ” said the statement .
The Federal Government has said it would provide insurance cover for all the frontline health workers battling to keep Nigerians safe from the coronavirus pandemic .
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed , said this in Abuja.
The minister said that adequate insurance , compensation, and support would be provided to frontline health workers during and in the aftermath of the COVID 19 pandemic .
She said it had become compelling to offer the needed support through an adequate insurance policy .
Reports says that some of the hazards suffered by the frontline health workers are pathogen exposure, psychological distress , fatigue , occupational burnout, stigma, and physical and psychological violence .
Ahmed while commending the sacrifice of the workers said the government would be engaging the insurance industry to come up with a package that would take care of their health risks.
She said , “ The government would be engaging with the insurance industry to package special health care insurance , which is life insurance for healthcare workers .
“ The government is taking steps to activate , release and enhance the hazard allowances provided in the remuneration structure of the Federal health sector workers .
“ The Federal Government recognises the patriotism and sacrifice of our frontline healthcare workers , whose critical roles in combatting the COVID- 19 pandemic place their health and lives at risk. ”
According to the World Health Organisation , employers and managers in health facilities assume overall responsibility to ensure that all necessary preventive and protective measures are taken to minimise occupational hazards on healthcare workers during a pandemic.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has announced that the total number of confirmed Lassa fever cases has increased to 963 in 2020 .
It said 12 new cases were recorded between March 30 and April 5 , 2020 .
The NCDC said this in its 2020 Week 14 report made available on its website .
It also said 188 deaths have been reported in the country this year .
Part of the report read , “ In week 14 , the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 19 cases in week 13 , 2020 to 12 cases. These were reported from five states – Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi , Bauchi , and Sokoto .
Cumulatively from week 1 to week 14 , 2020 , 188 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 19 . 5 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2019 – 22 . 7 per cent.
“ In total for 2020 , 27 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 126 Local Government Areas .
“ Of all 963 confirmed cases, 72 per cent are from Edo ( 32 per cent) , Ondo ( 32 per cent ) and Ebonyi ( eight per cent) states .
“ The predominant age – group affected is 21 – 30 years . The male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1 :1 . 2 .
“ The number of suspected cases has significantly increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2019 . No new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 14 . ”
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has directed the Commissioners of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun States to continue enforcing the lockdown order imposed by the Federal Government to contain the COVID-19 disease.
He also called on religious leaders in the FCT, Lagos, Ogun and other states affected by the restrictions, to continue to cooperate with relevant government agencies.
The IG asked them to use their leadership positions to encourage worshippers to observe prayers and fellowship programmes in the confines of their homes.
Adamu noted that the call had become necessary in order to curtail the community spread of the COVID-19 pandemic “which has immensely challenged humanity across all spheres of life.”
These were contained in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, by the force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba.
It said, “The IG expresses deep concerns that for the first time in the annals of our history, circumstances have compelled us to emplace restrictions on social gatherings, which inevitably is also affecting religious programmes of all faith.
“He, therefore, enjoins Nigerians to see the restrictions in the light of the symbolism of Easter which connotes sacrifice, tolerance, perseverance, love and ultimate triumph.”
The police boss reassured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police would remain steadfast and committed in the duty of ensuring public safety and security during the Easter period and beyond.
The Federal Government has granted amnesty to no fewer than 2 , 600 inmates as part of measures to decongest prison facilities in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The Minister of Interior , Rauf Aregbesola , disclosed this at an ongoing press conference at the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Abuja .
He said at least 70 inmates, who are serving various terms for crimes against the society , would be processed and released later today .
Aregbesola said the affected inmates include inmates that are 60 years and above ; those suffering from ill – health likely to terminate in death; convicts serving three years and above and have less than six months to serve; inmates with mental issues ; and inmates with an option of fine not exceeding N50 , 000 .
He said , “ In a symbolic gesture of the amnesty given to the 2 , 600 inmates across Nigeria , 41 Federal inmates and 29 FCT inmates making a total of 70 inmates who met the above criteria will be released today from the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja .
“ This amnesty will not apply to inmates sentenced for violent extreme offences such as terrorism , kidnapping , armed banditry , rape , human trafficking , culpable homicide and so on .
“ The Governors of the 36 states under whose jurisdiction most of the inmates were incarcerated will complete the exercise in line with the federal principle . ”
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