Breaking//COVID-19: Buhari Approves Release Of N10bn Grant To Lagos, N5bn To NCDC

By Daniel Dafe
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, March 26, 2020, disclosed that he has approved the immediate release of a 10 billion Naira grant to Lagos State, adding that “the state remains the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in Nigeria.”
The president who spoke through his Twitter handle, Muhammadu Buhari @ Mbuhari, said that “the grant will enable Lagos increase its capacity to control and contain the outbreak, while also supporting other States with capacity-building.”
He said: “Over the last few days I have received extensive briefings on the state of the nation as it relates to the Covid-19 pandemic, from the relevant Federal Government agencies as well as the Lagos State Government.
According to him, “he has also approved the immediate release of a 5 billion Naira special intervention fund to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) to equip, expand and provide personnel to its facilities and laboratories across the country.”
On other measures taken to tackle the pandemic, he said that “the Nigerian Air Force is already making its fleet available to the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, to enable a better coordinated and more effective response across the country.”
He continued: “To protect our homeland from external exposure, I directed the immediate closure of our International Airports and Land Borders for four weeks in the first instance, to enable us put up the appropriate policies, processes and infrastructure to cope with suspected and confirmed cases at home, without risking a compounding of the situation with more imported cases.
“The inconvenience caused by these flights and travel restrictions to our fellow citizens abroad who want to return home is regrettable, but it is necessary for the greater good, and I thank you all for your understanding and cooperation.
“I have also directed that only cargo vessels that have been at sea for more than 14 days be allowed to dock in our ports, after the crew have been tested and confirmed disease-free by the Port Health Authorities. This 14-day restriction however does not apply to vessels carrying oil and gas products as by their nature, there is minimal human contact.”
Continuing, he disclosed that he has directed the suspension of the movement of commuter trains to limit the spread of the virus to other parts of the country.
He added: “I have directed that NCDC draft all its recent retirees back into service to beef up their manpower as the nation responds to the pandemic. Furthermore, all NCDC staff and experts who are away on training or international assignments are to return immediately,” saying that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are conducting an evacuation mission to bring back some of the nation’s specialists in Central Africa, to enable them support the national response.
Buhari commended the monetary policy authorities for their financial intervention to support entrepreneurs and companies as Nigeria goes through this difficult time.
Speaking further, he said: “We are also looking at fiscal measures to minimise the negative impact of this pandemic on the livelihood of millions of Nigerians. As you are aware we have begun the process of reviewing the federal budget. We shall communicate our fiscal interventions once the budget review process is concluded.
Furthermore, he said: “In the meantime, I have directed the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, to work with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), to ensure that all production of essential items such as food, medical and pharmaceutical products continues unhindered.
“We are engaging our international friends and partners to share knowledge and to seek their support in our response to the pandemic. We are grateful for the show of support thus far – we have already started receiving goods and supplies intended to help us scale up our efforts.”
While commending medical personnel, the NCDC, Port Health Authorities, Security Agencies, State Governments, and all ad-hoc staff and volunteers for the good work done so far, he urged Nigerians to be mindful of those in the country who seek to spread panic and misinformation, and sow confusion at this time.
“We must all pay attention only to the relevant government agencies working day and night to make accurate and useful information available to the public,” he opined.
He called on the populace to strictly obey all health guidelines and instructions issued by the Federal and State health authorities, regarding personal hygiene and social distancing.
“These guidelines will be updated from time to time as new information and treatments are obtained,” he averred.
President Buhari also assured Nigerians, that the Federal Government remains committed to protecting all Nigerians, adding that with the full support and cooperation of Nigerians, the nation will triumph over this pandemic.