The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha held a meeting on Sunday with the committee members.
The meeting, which was held at the Presidential Villa, was in preparation for Monday’s announcement on the next phase of the COVID-19 lockdown, where the committee submitted its report to the president.
April 27, President Muhammadu Buhari in a nationwide broadcast, announced the face easing of the lockdown in Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja effective from May 4.
The President is expected to address the country on the next phase today, Monday since the two weeks had elapsed.
Boss Mustapha while speaking to a reporter after the meeting on Sunday, said the committee was in Villa to submit proposals to Buhari on the next phase of the lockdown.
According to Mustapha, the proposals would help the President in deciding on the next step to decide.
He said,“We have supplied him with all the materials that are required to enable him to look at the issues…
“We are in for a long haul. This is a marathon and not a short-distance race, and we have to keep everything in perspective…
“Tomorrow, we should expect new processes to be put in place. That’s why we had to give him all the materials that will help us to prepare for the future.”
However, he declined to tell what the committee had proposed to Buhari, insisting that they were meant for the President to take a decision.
He added that Buhari expressed satisfaction over the measures put in place so far and appreciate the efforts of the NCDC.
Meanwhile, he admitted that the failure of many Nigerians to comply with safety regulations on COVID-19 is a major concern, adding that some Nigerians still believe that they have immunity over the infection.
According to the SGF, a recent survey showed that 99 percent of Nigerians were aware of COVID-19, but there were many percentages when are yet to believe that they could be infected with the virus.
Mustapha added that the next target was how to contain community spread of the virus by ensuring that the communities took control of the prevent processes.
In his words, “The proposals we brought to Mr. President today, looking at them holistically, will prepare us for the future…
“We want the communities to take ownership of the response to COVID-19. That is what we want to do now because we have got to the stage of community transmission.”
The lockdown was relaxed on May 4 with a ban on interstate movements and the imposition of curfew from 8pm to 6am across the country.
The Federal Government also asked civil servants from Grade Level 14 and above to resume work on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of the week.
