Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman PTF on COVID-19, has called for sustained COVID-19 protocols at the airports from the aviation sector management before reopening them for domestic airlines.
Mustapha made the remark during the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.
While commending the management of the aviation sector for the measures put in place, he called for sustained efforts till the end of the pandemic.
“As you are all aware, the domestic flights in the aviation sector have resumed. As at the last count, six of our airports: Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Owerri, Maiduguri and Port Harcourt, have commenced operations.
“We wish to commend the aviation players for the measures put in place and hope that this will be sustained until we overcome the pandemic,” Mustapha said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, had, over the weekend, approved the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano and the Maiduguri Airport for domestic operations, saying they had met all the necessary COVID-19 protocols for activities to commence.
Sirika, who stated this after inspecting the protocols put in place to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 at the Kano airport, such as the physical distancing marks, hand sanitiser fixed at strategic positions and other features, expressed the belief that the airports were ready for operations.
The minister noted that the airports at Port Harcourt, Owerri and Maiduguri were all set for domestic operations, as planned.
“I am very glad and I think the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria have done extremely very well under our watch, to ensure that everything is in place and that physical distancing and good hygiene are being established and followed.
“So we believe this airport is one of those that are safe to operate in and out during this COVID-19 period.
“I am happy with what I saw and it is good enough for us to go,” he said.
Tag: PTF
PTF calls for sustained COVID-19 protocols at airports
COVID-19: ECOWAS, WAHO donate $8m medical equipment to PTF
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 took delivery of two ventilators and other critical medical equipment donated by ECOWAS and the West African Health Organisation, to support Nigeria’s fight against coronavirus.
The medical equipment worth 8 million dollars was handed over to the PTF on COVID-19 on Saturday at the Premier Medical Warehouse, Abuja.
Receiving the items, Mr Boss Mustapha, PTF Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said that partnership is needed, being the only option with which the world could overcome the pandemic.
Mustapha was represented at the event by Mr Olusegun Adekunle, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (GSO), Office of Secretary to Government of the Federation (OSGF).
He said that the pandemic had been devastating not just in the African continent but also at the global level.
The SGF urged ECOWAS member states to recommit themselves to the fight against COVID-19, to safe the region.
According to him, the response to the disease is an ongoing process that requires a rapid and flexible response that should be based on listening, verification and commitment.
Mustapha stated that the pandemic was not over and the region could not let up on their commitment to one another.
He cited three major reasons the virus had continued to spread around:
“They are my colleagues, so, I can speak without the mask.
“They are my close friends, so, I can speak without the mask.
“They are my relations, so, I can speak without the mask. Don’t make the above three mistakes… save yourself and others,” he advised.
Mustapha, however, commended ECOWAS/WAHO for the donations, noting that some of the items were scarce commodities being chased after by some other countries in desperate need of them.
“We acknowledge that the donations are useful. The items are being chased globally, even if you have the resources, you might not get them.
“The donation is gratifying because hundreds of medical personnel have been infected perhaps due to lack of kits. It will be used judiciously and it will be accounted for.
“We received these items with thanks,” he noted.
Also speaking, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said that the donations were critical supplies in the COVID-19 response strategy.
“I wish to convey the appreciation of His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and of the people of Nigeria to ECOWAS and WAHO for this brotherly gesture.
“We also appreciate the choice of Abuja by ECOWAS and WAHO, as the central hub for receipt and distribution of regional supplies of medical products and equipment for the fight against COVID-19,” he said.
Ehanire said that it was a great indication of confidence and Nigeria would play the role in providing support to the fellow member states in the ECOWAS subregion to fight the pandemic, of which President Buhari was recently designated Champion of the COVID-19 response.
Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), said that the biggest standout difference in the response to COVID-19 in the country and the 2014 Ebola outbreak was increased collaboration across West African Health Institutions, as demonstrated by the support received from ECOWAS and WAHO.
“We’re grateful for the medical supplies received and offer our commitment to account for each and every one of them, as we respond to this outbreak,” he noted.
Earlier, Prof. Stanley Okoro, Director-General, WAHO, said that the organisation had established a regional distribution hub during the pandemic, working with the agency, the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (ECOWAS- RCSDC).
Okoro noted that the current consignment was procured with funds from the German Government (BMZ through GIZ) and the German Development Bank (KFW) and supplemented by funds from ECOWAS Commission and WAHO.
He challenged every citizen of West Africa to make a pact with 10 of their friends or family to practise scrupulous personal hygiene and responsible social distancing, to never be out in public without a face mask and to encourage each other to keep the pact during the pandemic.
“You will be amazed at how quickly this pandemic will go down in your community,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria( NAN) reports that the medical consumables donated were two ventilators and two ventilator trolleys, 40, 512 diagnostic test kits, 5,000 locally made sanitiser and 10, 000 surgical masks.
Others were 12, 000 N95 masks, 10, 000 surgical masks, 1, 600 face shields, 294, 000 gloves, 12, 800 googles, 8,190 overalls and 23, 220 gowns.
NAN reports that since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the COVID-19 infection a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, WAHO had worked tirelessly to support the region and protect the populations.
The body had coordinated communication and collaboration between member states and between the region and partners.
WAHO had supported individual member states with critical medical supplies, diagnostic test kits, online training to build capacity, public health advisory and targeted funding for specific activities, to help flatten the curve of this pandemic. (NAN)
NEC, PTF to have further discussions on reopening of economy, schools
The National Economic Council(NEC) says it will hold further discussions with the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 (PTF) on reopening of the economy and schools.
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta made this known while briefing State House correspondents after the virtual NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Okowa said the council took the report on the interface between NEC’s Adhoc Committee and the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 on the ease of the lockdown and reopening of the economy.
“A lot has been done because we have had several meetings with the PTF and our inputs have been taken in the briefings to the president and the guidelines have been released.
“Since we started the meeting on May 28, lots of decisions have been taken and these decisions have already started to impact on the economy.
“Currently, both the formal and informal sectors of the economy have gradually been reopened apart from a few segments that still need to be discussed and we have also realised that the rural areas have also been opened to farming activities.
“And we have also in the course of our discussion agreed on the need to open the interstate borders to travels which also means travels by both road and train services is now possible and domestic flights are suppose to have resumed from yesterday July 8.’’
According to him, there are still other sectors of the economy that may not be open until further discussions are held.
He said the interface also discussed the issue concerning the reopening of worship centres and in many states of the federation, including FCT.
“Worship centres have been reopened with good protocols to be put in place which ought to be monitored by the various states and the FCT.
“So, a lot is actually been done; we talked about the issue of opening up schools but this will be further be discussed later today following the press briefing that was given by the Minister of Education.
“So, we will be meeting with the PTF on COVID-19 this evening at 8pm to further discuss issues surrounding the opening of schools but the economy is open now apart from restrictions to international travels and restrictions to sporting activities.
“The other course that had to be stood down is the resumption of higher institutions and other classes aside the graduating classes and also in the work place.
“In the work place, there are still some restrictions; not all civil servants are allowed to come to work because of the likelihood of crowding; so that is being further discussed in various states.
“I do know that civil servants in various categories are allowed to come but not the totality of the workforce.’’
He said that the reopening of bars, night clubs and other entertainment centres was still on hold until further discussions were taken.
Okowa said that advice was being taken from consultants who were ac monitoring the rate of transmission in the country.
“We have already entered community transmission and we are careful to ensure that as we open up the economy, we do not create a danger to the lives of Nigerians.
“So, generally, we think the best we can do as a country is to open up the economy; the economy is actually opening and we have to do it in a manner that we do not cause further health hazards,’’ he said.(NAN)
BREAKING: PTF members on COVID-19 briefs Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday received briefing from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Chairman of PTF on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha, led the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Director-General of the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu and the Coordinator of the PTF on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, to brief the President as the second phase of the gradual easing of the lockdown ends today.
The Presidency made this known in a tweet on Monday.
The meeting is coming amid threats from Lagos and Ogun states that they may be a renewed lockdown.
Also, it is expected that a decision would be taken on reopening of airports and schools in the country.
PTF warns Nigerians against large purchase of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has warned Nigerians against buying hydroxychloroquine in large quantities to treat COVID-19, saying the drug had not been certified for use.
The Chairman of the PTF and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said this at the PTF COVID-19 daily press briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
He said through the surveillance system set up by the PTF, it had received reports that Nigerians had been purchasing hydroxychloroquine in large quantities to treat the virus.
“We wish to reiterate that this drug has not being certified for use in treating COVID-19 in Nigeria by the relevant health and pharmaceutical authorities.
“Self-medication of any kind is fraught with the danger of increasing risks of avoidable casualties. We therefore strongly warn against self-medication,” he said.
According to him, “if you are sick, please seek medical advice and if you are confirmed positive, kindly self-isolate in an approved facility, the COVID-19 is highly infectious and dangerous.”
Although the World Health Organisation and other health experts have repeatedly warned that no drug has been approved for treating COVID-19 yet, statements by public officials including President Donald Trump of the U.S. and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State may have encouraged the mass purchase of chloroquine and its derivative, hydroxychloroquine, by Nigerians.
Mr Trump has repeatedly encouraged the use of the drug and said even he was using it. Mr Mohammed also said he had approved the use of the drug for COVID-19 patients in the state.
PTF— Buhari may announce further directives today
President Muhammadu Buhari may address the nation today on new procedures in the national response to the ravaging Coronavirus Pandemic, having received progress report presented by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Task Force, Boss Mustapha gave the hint on Sunday after the PTF briefed President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Addressing newsmen, Mustapha said the President expressed satisfaction with the progress so far made by Nigeria in the campaign against the virus, in view of the resources and facilities available.
The SGF, accompanied by other members of the PTF, including the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, and the National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr Sani Aliyu, also gave reasons why the task force had been opposed to the idea of reopening congregation centres.
Speaking on his team’s briefing of the President, Mustapha said the next line of action from President Buhari would be to outline new procedures and guidelines for the next phase of the national response, especially as the first two weeks of the phased post-lockdown protocol would be ending today (Monday).
“From the 4th of May to date is about 13 days, tomorrow (today) we should expect new processes to be put in place. But we have to give him all the material details will help us in preparing for the future. So that is why we are here.
“Because, we are in for the long hurl, this is not a short distance race, it’s a marathon and we have to keep everything in perspective. But remember on the 27th of April, he addressed the nation and in place the easing down of the lockdown effective from the 4th of May.
“This is part of a routine exercise. I think this is about the third time that we have had cause to submit an interim report to him on our activities as task force and also to update him on preparation for the other phases of engagement. And we have supplied him with all the materials that is required to look at the issues, ” he said.
On the reactions of Nigerians and compliance level to the guidelines, Mustapha lamented that despite the fact that about 99% of the population had acknowledged the existence of COVID-19, many still held very dangerous beliefs that, according to him, would make winning the war a herculean task.
He said the task before the PTF now was getting Nigerians to give the fight against COVID-19 a community ownership, explaining that the fight would be more successful when it finally gained the attention of the communities and most of the processes of identifying, tracing and isolation.
He noted that COVID-19 would not go away soon, hence all citizens must take responsibility for the fight, own the response process, not just for themselves as individuals, but for their loved ones and the communities they belong to.
“COVID-19 is not going to go away in the next one or two months, whoever tells you that is not being realistic. No vaccine is in the horizon, we are talking about 18 months to two years before vaccines would be confirm for human use as far as COVID-19. And unless we get there, it means is that it will remain.
“It might have cycles, after the first cycle of pandemic, there might be a relief, there can be a resurgence and that is evidenced all over the world. It has happened before as is the nature of infections. So, I believe that what we are going to do now as a taskforce is to come down to the level of having the communities take ownership of the response.
“We have developed a national response which has been cascaded to the states but the communities must plug into the national response. Where we have primary healthcare centres all over the country, they can be used as stations of reporting of surveillance within a particular community, of tracing, of tracking so that we can take out those that we suspect have exhibited symptoms or have come in contact with people who have exhibited symptoms for testing and isolation. That way you pluck them out of the community and reduce the risk of transmission. That is basically what we are working on.
“We have been preaching that in the last one week. All our press conferences we emphasized that there must be a change and there must be a paradigm shift to community responsibility because we believe we have gotten to the stage of community transmission and the only way you can deal with community transmission is when you give the responsibility back to the community, not in terms of treating people, no.
“In terms of being conscious and aware of the fact that this thing is in our community and we have the collective resolve to ensure that we protect our people, particularly the aged, the sick, the ones that have underlying health conditions that are easily susceptible to the fatalities of COVID-19. And that is why as a task force we have stood very strong against congregations.“Congregations are the easiest places where you can get infected in terms of transmission and that is why we try as much as possible to discourage congregations in all that we do. Because, the aged, the sick and the vulnerable will turn up in congregations and once they get infected it becomes another ball game all together. And so the zeal now and the drive will be geared towards community ownership”, he said.
On the level of success so far achieved by the PTF and the President’s impression of the process, the SGF said “We might not be there totally but I am confident that looking at the strategies that we are putting in place, going forward we will strengthen those objectives that we have substantially achieved which are purpose-driven in terms of dealing with COVID-19 and like I said it is not a 100 meter race, it is a marathon.
“So at every point in time you implace the strategy and move forward and that is what we are doing. I can assure you that what proposals we have brought today for Mr. President’s consideration, I think holistically, it will put us in a better frame to deal with the future.
“So he expressed his satisfaction with the PTF, the Minister of Health and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, which are integral part of the taskforce and all the multi-sectoral ministries that are involved in this work – the armed forces, the police, the kind of cooperation we have received from them, without them we wouldn’t have recorded the modest successes that we have achieved.” he said.
