COVID-19: Buhari To Take Decision On Governors’ Proposal For Two-Week National Lockdown

President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to make a decision on the two-week national lockdown proposed by the governors of the 36 States in Nigeria, to help curb the spread of Coronavirus.

This was made known by the the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the COVID-19 pandemic, Boss Mustapha.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) had on Wednesday approved the implementation of a 14 days nationwide lockdown in the 36 states.

Speaking at the daily briefing on Thursday, Mustapha said said every input including that of the governors would be collated by the committee and a report will be written and submitted to the President.

“Basically, what they are suggesting is that travel from one state to the other should be stopped with certain exemptions of essential services, petroleum products, farm inputs, fertilizer so that we can keep the wheel of our economy ready.

“Like I said, that is their proposal, the federal government is yet to make a decision and, as to whether that will be part of our report, the presidential task force will meet and take a holistic look at all the proposals that are coming in as to the next line of action going forward.

“This will not be taken in isolation; and so I want to assure you that we are working in synergy and collaboratively with the state governments and subnational entities that, with this phase going into the third phase, it will be more collaborative than we would have taken into consideration the inputs and interests of different segments of our society,” Mustapha said.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned Buhari against any further extension of the lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

NLC urged Buhari to consider the welfare of Nigerians, as well as insecurity before making any decision about prolonging the lockdown which may trigger social unrest and economic relapse.