… As Onyeama’s Status Temporarily Disrupts PTF Briefings
By Williams Anuku Abuja
Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Boss Mustapha has said plans were on to perfect protocols for resumption of international flights.
Although he was not specific on a date, he gave indications that aviation regulators and stakeholders were engaging themselves to facilitate an integrated and seamless resumption of international flights very soon.
He gave the assurance on Thursday, while briefing Nigerians on situation report on the control of Covid-19.
He said, “The Aviation sector has been working assiduously to develop the protocols for the resumption of international air services. This PTF remains conscious of the significant contributions of air travels to economic growth and shall continue to push for a safe resumption.
“The next phase is for aviation regulators to engage with other stake holders to facilitate an integrated and seamless resumption of international flights. I plead with all Nigerians to await authentic information from the aviation authorities and discountenance fake news and speculation on dates”.
While confirming that Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama had contracted the virus, he said the development made the PTF suspend its daily briefings for the time being, stressing that it was an indication that the virus had come to stay globally.
He also noted that Onyeama’s case may necessitate a change of strategy in the PTF briefings, adding that their prayers goes for the speedy recovery of the Minister because he features prominently in their briefings.
“For the first time since the PTF commenced the regular briefing , we had to postpone the briefing for Monday 20th July, 2020. On Sunday 19th July, 2020, the dangers that our frontline workers face on a daily basis was forcefully brought to our consciousness, when the tweet from the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs who is a member of the PTF, went viral.
“That singular piece of information in the public space is sufficient proof to Nigerians that the virus is real and does not discriminate.
“Sequel to that development, the PTF and its Secretariat immediately carried out a risk assessment and tested all members to determine their status, out of an abundance of caution. Fortunately, as a precautionary measure, the PTF had earlier arranged that all journalists covering its activities should be tested by the NCDC.
“I am pleased to inform you that testing of members for COVID-19 has been a regular exercise for the PTF and that policy would be sustained. I am also pleased to inform you that haven successfully taken all precautionary measures regarding safety, the normal business of the PTF has resumed.
“We will however not lower our guards for any reason because the nation cannot afford to shut down its response.
Our prayers and best wishes are with the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs as it is with all Nigerians that have contracted the virus and the entire humanity bearing the burden of the pandemic. We wish them all speedy recovery.
“As we progress however, the PTF might consider restructuring the mode of delivering some of its activities, relying more on technology, to minimize the risks associated with avoidable physical contacts, “he stated .
Continuing, he said India has joined the United States of America and Brazil in the category of countries that have recorded over one million cases,noting that cumulatively, 15,403,120 cases have been recorded from 215 countries and territories.
According to the PTF chairman, on the African continent, the cumulative total for Africa has risen to 773, 804 including 16,448 fatalities. Nigeria, with 38,344 cases account for about 5% of the Africa’s numbers. Similarly, Nigeria, with 813 deaths accounts for 5% of fatalities in the continent.
He said the message of hope is that the world continues to close its ranks in the search for a vaccine in a manner designed to guarantee rapid, fair, and equitable access worldwide.
