By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Capital Territory Administration is set to launch the COVID-19 campaign in all the Area Councils as well as ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Coronavirus Disease Health Protection Regulation 2021 as released by the Presidential Task Force on cOVID-19.
This was part of the resolutions reached at a stakeholders meeting held on Friday, a press release made available said.
The FCT would launch massive awareness campaign across the six Area Councils in the FCT to further sensitize the public on COVID-19 using the traditional rulers, religious and community leaders to enlighten their subjects on the need for full compliance to the protocols.
This is in addition to strict compliance in all markets across the FCT.
Other resolutions reached is the need for the FCT administration to sanction erring cooperate organisations and ensure the effective us of Mobile Courts system for trial of offenders.
The meeting which was chaired by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello also had in attendance the Honourable Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the National Incidence Manager of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Dr Mukhtar Mohammed, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, political, traditional and religious leaders as well as heads of the various security agencies in the FCT.
The minister noted that although the FCT is considered the epicenter of the administration has been successful in it’s response to the Disease and has assured of FCT’s preparedness to fight the second wave of the virus through the cooperation of all stakeholders across the territory.
He said, ” my appeal to you is that please let us work hard, particularly at the community level and that is why I am so happy to see that out of the six Area Councils Chairmen, 5 are present today.’
While it was noted that commercial transportation is one of the major modes of transmitting the disease, it was resolved that all road transport unions will be engaged to ensure strict enforcement of the provisions of the regulations.
While all public and private schools are to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the regulations, it was also resolved that there was the need for the provision of affordable face masks for members of the public.
Minister of State Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu expressed the appreciation of the FCTA to the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for its commitment and dedication in directing the nation’s response to the pandemic.
She also called on all residents to work together to effectively combat the disease, saying, “ if there is anything we have learned in the fight against COVID-19 thus far, it is the realization that working together, we can conquer any challenge that threatens our collective wellbeing.”
FCT Commissioner of Police and Chairman of the FCT COVID -19 Enforcement Task Force, Mr Bala Ciroma said that the enforcement team will not only carry out enforcement but will also carry out enlightenment campaigns as well and called on Area Council Chairmen to set up enforcement teams at the local government level.
Present at the event were the Chairmen of Abaji, Kwali, Gwagwalada, Municipal, and Bwari Area Councils, Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr Umar Gambo Jibrin, the Onah of Abaji, Alh Adamu Baba Yunusa, the FCT CAN Chairman, Dr Samson Jonah, the Imam, Abuja National Mosque Dr Mohammed Kabir heads of civil society organisations and other critical stakeholders.
