President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the prompt release of N5 billion special intervention requested by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC to equip and expand their facilities and laboratories.
The President has also given approval to NCDC’s request for an aircraft from the Presidential Air Fleet for emergency situations.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President furthermore authorised the evacuation of 3 critical members of the NCDC team who are stuck in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo where they went for a training organsied by the World Health Organisation, WHO.
The Nigerian leader also advised that With developing news around the world on the Coronavirus pandemic, all Nigerians should follow the health guidelines issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and State Governments.
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With regard to the request by the Government of Lagos State for financial support to combat and contain the spread of Coronavirus in the State and Nigeria, the President has already approved the sum of N10 billion which release was effected within two days of the request.
These measures are in addition to the ones approved and announced by the Presidential Task Force, PTF including the closure of land borders to human traffic for 4 weeks; the conversion of all Hajj transit camps to be utilised as Coronavirus isolation centers; the directive that all non-essential government employees to work from home and for a daily briefing of the nation through the PTF.
Other approved measures already put into place include the ban of flights from and into the country, suspension of the Federal Executive Council and National Council of State meetings and a directive for engagements, at the highest levels between the Federal Government and the State Government’s.
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President Buhari has also directed for the escalation of the nation’s capacity for testing and detection with the acquisition of testing kits and establishment of additional test centres; acquisition of Personnel Protection Equipment and the mobilisation of experts and trained staff serving and recall of some of those retired.
The closure of schools and tertiary institutions and the suspension of religious and other gatherings above the 50 prescribed number are also parts of the measures approved and are in place.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
