Fellow Nigerians,
From the first signs that Coronavirus, or
COVID-19 was turning into an epidemic and was officially declared a
world-wide emergency, the Federal Government started planning
preventive, containment and curative measures in the event the disease
hits Nigeria. The whole instruments of government are now
mobilized to confront what has now become both a health emergency and an
economic crisis.
Nigeria, unfortunately, confirmed its
first case on 27th February 2020. Since then, we have seen the number
of confirmed cases rise slowly. By the morning of March 29th, 2020, the total confirmed cases within Nigeria had risen to ninety-seven.
Regrettably, we also had our first fatality, a
former employee of PPMC, who died on 23rd March 2020. Our thoughts and
prayers are with his family in this very difficult time. We also pray
for quick recovery for those infected and undergoing treatment. As of today, COVID-19 has no cure. Scientists around the world are working very hard to develop a vaccine.
We are in touch with these institutions as
they work towards a solution that will be certified by international and
local medical authorities within the shortest possible time. For now, the best and most efficient
way to avoid getting infected is through regular hygienic and sanitary
practices as well as social distancing.
As individuals, we remain the greatest weapon
to fight this pandemic. By washing our hands regularly with clean water
and soap, disinfecting frequently used surfaces and areas, coughing into
a tissue or elbow and strictly adhering to infection prevention control
measures in health facilities, we can contain this virus. Since the outbreak was reported in China, our
Government has been monitoring the situation closely and studying the
various responses adopted by other countries.
Indeed, the Director General of the Nigeria
Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was one of ten global health leaders
invited by the World Health Organisation to visit China and understudy
their response approach. I am personally very proud of Dr Ihekweazu for
doing this on behalf of all Nigerians. Since his return, the NCDC has been
implementing numerous strategies and programs in Nigeria to ensure that
the adverse impact of this virus on our country is minimized. We ask all
Nigerians to support the work the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC
are doing, led by the Presidential Task Force.
Although we have adopted strategies used
globally, our implementation programs have been tailored to reflect our
local realities. In Nigeria, we are taking a two step approach. First, to protect the lives of our fellow
Nigerians and residents living here 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.
To date, we have introduced healthcare measures,
border security, fiscal and monetary policies in our response. We shall
continue to do so as the situation unfolds. 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. In Nigeria’s fight against COVID-19, there is
no such thing as an overreaction or an under reaction. It is all about
the right reaction by the right agencies and trained experts.
Accordingly, as a Government, we will continue
to rely on guidance of our medical professionals and experts at the
Ministry of Health, NCDC and other relevant agencies through this
difficult time. I therefore urge all citizens to adhere to their guidelines as they are released from time to time. As we are all aware, Lagos and Abuja have the
majority of confirmed cases in Nigeria. Our focus therefore remains to
urgently and drastically contain these cases, and to support other
states and regions in the best way we can.
This is why we provided an initial
intervention of fifteen billion Naira (N15b) to support the national
response as we fight to contain and control the spread. We also created a Presidential Task Force
(PTF) to develop a workable National Response Strategy that is being
reviewed on a daily basis as the requirements change. This strategy
takes international best practices but adopts them to suit our unique
local circumstances. Our goal is to ensure all States have the right support and manpower to respond immediately. 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.
I also requested, through the Nigeria
Governors Forum, for all State Governments to nominate Doctors and
Nurses who will be trained by the NCDC and Lagos State Government on
tactical and operational response to the virus in case it spreads to
other states. This training will also include medical
representatives from our armed forces, paramilitary and security and
intelligence agencies. As a nation, our response must be guided,
systematic and professional. There is a need for consistency across the
nation. All inconsistencies in policy guidelines between Federal and
State agencies will be eliminated.
As I mentioned earlier, as at this morning we
had ninety-seven confirmed cases. Majority of these are in Lagos and
Abuja. All the confirmed cases are getting the necessary medical care. Our agencies are currently working hard to identify cases and people these patients have been in contact with. The few confirmed cases outside Lagos and Abuja are linked to persons who have travelled from these centres.
We are therefore working to ensure such inter state and intercity movements are restricted to prevent further spread. 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.
This order does not apply to hospitals and all
related medical establishments as well as organizations in health care
related manufacturing and distribution. Furthermore, commercial establishments such as;
a. food processing, distribution and retail companies;
b. petroleum distribution and retail entities,
c. power generation, transmission and distribution companies; and
d. private security companies are also exempted.
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.
Accordingly, the Hon. Minister of Health is
hereby directed to redeploy all Port Health Authority employees
previously stationed in the Lagos and Abuja Airports to key roads that
serve as entry and exit points to these restricted zones. Movements of all passenger aircraft, both
commercial and private jets, are hereby suspended. Special permits will
be issued on a needs basis. 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.
For residents of satellite and commuter towns
and communities around Lagos and Abuja whose livelihoods will surely be
affected by some of these restrictive measures, we shall deploy relief
materials to ease their pains in the coming weeks. Furthermore, although schools are closed, I
have instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster
Management and Social Development to work with State Governments in
developing a strategy on how to sustain the school feeding program
during this period without compromising our social distancing policies.
The Minister will be contacting the affected States and agree on
detailed next steps.
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. 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. As we all pray for the best possible outcome, we shall continue planning for all eventualities. This is why I directed that all Federal
Government Stadia, Pilgrims camps and other facilities be converted to
isolation centers and makeshift hospitals.
My fellow Nigerians, as a Government, we will
avail all necessary resources to support the response and recovery. We
remain committed to do whatever it takes to confront COVID-19 in our
country.
We are very grateful to see the emerging
support of the private sector and individuals to the response as well as
our development partners. At this point, I will ask that all
contributions and donations be coordinated and centralized to ensure
efficient and impactful spending. The Presidential Task Force remains
the central coordinating body on the COVID-19 response. 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.
Every nation in the world is challenged at
this time. But we have seen countries where citizens have come together
to reduce the spread of the virus. I will therefore implore you again to
strictly comply with the guidelines issued and also do your bit to
support Government and the most vulnerable in your communities.
I will take this opportunity to thank all our
public health workforce, health care workers, port health authorities
and other essential staff on the frontlines of the response for their
dedication and commitment. You are true heroes.
I thank you all for listening. May God continue to bless and protect us all.
STAY SAFE WITH CORONA VIRUS
