ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE CUMULATIVE LOCKDOWN ORDER OF LAGOS AND OGUN STATES
AS WELL AS THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ON COVID- 19 PANDEMIC AT THE STATE
HOUSE, ABUJA MONDAY, 27th APRIL, 2020
1. Fellow Nigerians
2. I will start by commending you
all for the resilience and patriotism that you have shown in our collective
fight against the biggest health challenge of our generation.
3. As at yesterday, 26th April
2020, some three million confirmed cases of COVID nineteen have been recorded
globally with about nine hundred thousand recoveries. Unfortunately, some two
hundred thousand people have also died as a result of this pandemic.
4. The health systems and economies
of many nations continue to struggle as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
5. Nigeria continues to adopt and
adapt to these new global realities on a daily basis. This evening, I will
present the facts as they are and explain our plans for the coming month
knowing fully aware that some key variables and assumptions may change in the
coming days or weeks.
6. Exactly two weeks ago, there
were three hundred and twenty-three confirmed cases in 20 states and the
Federal Capital Territory.
7. As at this morning, Nigeria has
recorded one thousand two hundred and seventy-three cases across 32 States and
the FCT. Unfortunately, these cases this includes 40 deaths fatalities.
8. I will useam using this
opportunity to express our deepest condolences to the families of all Nigerians
that have lost their lives loved ones as a result of the COVID nineteen
Pandemic. This is our collective loss and we share in your grief.
9. Initial models predicted that
Nigeria will record an estimated two thousand confirmed cases in the first
month after the index case
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10. This means that despite the
drastic increase in the number of confirmed cases recorded in the past two
weeks, the measures we have put in place thus far have yielded positive
outcomes against the projections.
11. The proportion of cases
imported from other countries has reduced to only 19% of new cases, showing
that our border closures yielded positive results. . These are mostly fellow
Nigerians returning through our land borders. We will continue to enforce land
border arrival protocols as part of the containment strategy.
12. Today, the Nigerian Centre for
Disease Control (NCDC) has accredited 15 laboratories across the country with
an aggregate capacity to undertake 2,500 tests per day across the country.
13. Based on your feedback, Lagos
the State Government and the FCT with support from NCDC is hasve established
several sample collection centers in Lagos and the FCT. They are also reviewing
their laboratory testing strategy to further increase the number of tests they
can perform including the accreditation of selected private laboratories that
meet the accreditation criteria.
14. Several new fully equipped
treatment and isolation centres have been operationalised across the country
thereby increasing bed capacity to about three thousand. At this point, I will
commend the State Governors for the activation of State-level Emergency
Operation Centres, establishment of new treatment centres and the delivery of
aggressive risk communication strategies.
15. Over ten thousand healthcare
workers have been trained. For their protection, additional personal protective
equipment have been distributed to all the states. Although we have experienced
logistical challenges, we remain committed to establish a solid supply chain
process to ensure these heroic professionals are can work safely and are
properly equipped.
16. In keeping with our
Government’s promise to improve the welfare of healthcare workers, we have
signed a memorandum of understanding on the provision of hazard allowances and
other incentives with key health sector professional associations. We have also
procured insurance cover for five thousand frontline health workers. At this
point, I must commend the insurance sector for their support in achieving this
within a short period of time.
17. Nigeria has also continued to
receive support from the international community, multilateral agencies, the
private sector and public-spirited individuals. This support has ensured that
critical lifesaving equipment and materials, which have become scarce globally,
are available for Nigeria through original equipment manufacturers and
government-to-government processes.
18. The distribution and expansion
of palliatives which I directed in my earlier broadcast is still on going in a
transparent manner. I am mindful of the seeming frustration being faced by
expectant citizens. I urge all potential beneficiaries to exercise patience as
we continue to fine tune our logistical and distribution processes working with
the State Governments.
19. I have directed the Central
Bank of Nigeria and other financial institutions to make further plans and
provisions for financial stimulus packages for small and medium scale enterprises.
We recognise the critical role that they play in Nigeria’s economy.
20. Our Security Agencies continue
to rise to the challenge posed by this unusual situation. While we feel deeply
concerned about isolated security incidents involving hoodlums and miscreants,
I want to assure all Nigerians that your safety and security remains our
primary concern especially in these exceedingly difficult and uncertain times.
As we focus on protecting lives and properties, we will not tolerate any human
rights abuses by our security agencies. The few reported incidences are
regrettableregrettable, and I want to assure you that the culprits will be
brought to justice.
21. I urge all Nigerians to
continue to cooperate and show understanding whenever they encounter security
agents. Furthermore, for their protection, I have instructed the personnel of
the security agencies be provided with the necessary personal protective
equipment for their own protection.
22. As we continue to streamline
our response in the epicenters of Lagos and the FCT, I remain am concerned
about the unfortunate developments in Kano in recent days. Although an in-depth
investigation is still ongoing, we have decided to deploy additional Federal
Government human, material and technical resources to strengthen and support
the State Government’s efforts. We will commence implementation immediately.
23. In Kano, and indeed many of
other States that are recording new cases, preliminary findings show that such
cases are mostly from interstate travel and emerging community transmission.
24. Drawing from these, I implore
all Nigerians to continue to adhere strictly to the advisories published by the
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. These include rRegular hand washing, social
physical distancing, wearing of face masks/coverings in public, avoidance of
non-essential movement and travels and avoidance of large gatherings remain
paramount.
25. Fellow Nigerians, for the past
four weeks, most parts of our country have been under either Federal Government
or State Government lockdowns. As I mentioned earlier, these steps were
necessary and overall, have contributed to slowing down the spread of COVID
nineteen in Nigeria.
26. However, such lock downs have
also coame at a very heavy economic cost. Many of our citizens have lost their
means of livelihoods. Many businesses have also shut down. No country can
afford the full impact of a sustained lockdown while awaiting the development
of vaccines or cures.
27. In my last address, I mentioned
the Federal Government will develop strategies and policies that will protect
lives while preserving livelihoods.
28. In these two weeks, the Federal
and State Governments have jointly and collaboratively worked hard on this how
to balance the need to protect health while also preserving livelihoods,
leveraging global best practice while keeping in mind our peculiar
circumstances.
29. We looked atassessed how our
factories, markets, traders and transporters can continue to function while at
the same time respecting adhering to the NCDC guidelines on hygiene and social
distancing.
30. We assessed how our children
can continue to learn without compromising their health. 30.31. We reviewed how
our farmers can safely plant and harvest in this rainy season to ensure our
food security is not compromised. Furthermore, we also discussed how to safely
transport food items from rural production areas to industrial processing zones
and ultimately, to the key consumption centers.
32. Our goal was to develop
implementable policies that will ensure our economy continues to function with
while still maintaining our aggressive response to the COVID nineteen pandemic.
These same difficult decisions are being faced by leaders around the world.
33. Based on the above and in line
with the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID nineteen, the
various Federal Government committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters
and the Nigeria Governors Forum, I have approved for a phased and gradual
easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Saturday,
2nd May, 2020 at 9am.
34. However, this will be followed
strictly with aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures
while allowing the restoration of some economic and business activities in
certain sectors.
35. The highlights of the new
nationwide measures are as follows; a. Selected businesses and offices can open
from 9am to 6pm;
b. There will be an overnight
curfew from 8pm to 6am. This means all movements are will be prohibited during
this period except essential services;
c. There will be a ban on
non-essential inter-state passenger travels until further notice;
d. There will be Ppartial and
controlled interstate movement of goods and services will be allowed to
allowfor the movement of goods and services from producers to consumers; and
e. We will strictly ensure the
mandatory use of face masks or coverings in public in addition to maintaining
physical distancing and personal hygiene. Furthermore, the restrictions of on
social and religious gathers shall remain in place. State Governments,
corporate organisations and philanthropists are encouraged to support the
production of cloth masks for citizens.
36. For the avoidance of doubt, the
lockdown in the FCT, Lagos & Ogun States shall subsist remain in place
until these new ones come into effect on Saturday, 2nd May 2020 at 9am.
37. The Presidential Task Force
shall provide sector specific details and timing guidelines to allow for
preparations by Governments, businesses and institutions.
38. The above are guidelines. State
Governors may choose to amend adapt and expand based on their unique
circumstances provided they maintain alignment with the guidelines issued
aboveon public health and hygiene.
39. These revised guidelines do
will not apply for to Kano State. The total lockdown recently announced by the
State Government shall remain enforced be enforced for the full duration. The
Federal Government shall deploy all the necessary human, material and technical
resources to support the State in controlling and containing the pandemic.
40. I wish to once again commend
the frontline workers across the country who, on a daily basis, risk everything
to ensure we win this fight. For those who got infected in the line of duty, be
rest assured that Government will do all it takes to support you and your
families during this exceedingly difficult period. I will also take this
opportunity to assure you all that your safety, wellbeing and welfare remains
paramount to our Government.
41. I will also recognize recognise
the support we have received from our traditional rulers, the Christian
Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and
other prominent religious and community leaders. Your cooperation and support
has significantly contributed to the successes we have recorded to date. I will
urge you all to please continue to create awareness on the seriousness of
coronavirus among your worshippers and communities while appealing that they
strictly comply with public health advisories.
42. I will also thank the Nigeria
Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Task Force for all their hard work to
date. Through this collaboration, I remain confident that success is
achievable.
43. I also wish to thank corporate
organisations, philanthropists, the UN family, the European Union, friendly
nations, the media and other partners that have taken up the responsibility of
supporting our response.
44. And finally, I will thank all
Nigerians again for your patience and cooperation during this difficult and
challenging period. I assure you that government shall continue to take all
necessary measures to protect the lives and livelihoods our citizens and
residents.
I thank you for listening and may
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
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