COVID-19: FGN Directs PTF To Work Closely With State Governors, Extends Partial Lockdown

Oru Leonard

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, has directed the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to work closely with state governors.

The President gave this directive on Monday, May 18, at a virtual meeting with some members of the Nigeria Governors Forum.

According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said that working closely with the governors would bring about more harmony in the daunting task of curbing the spread of the pandemic.

“I have directed that they work very closely with the Governors.

“The pandemic was beyond technology, power, and resources, countries that had all those, were recording the highest casualties round the world.

“We have to be very careful. We need to continue to educate and persuade the people to accept the reality of the situation, and do all that is necessary to stay safe,” the President added.

Also discussed at the meeting were economic and security issues, among others, with the governors commending the President on the “leadership and direction” he has given the country in combating COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Federal government has extended the ease of the partial lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States, by two weeks citing the increasing number of coronavirus cases in Nigeria.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha,who made the announcement during the daily briefing said the decision became necessary because of the increasing number of cases in the country.

Mustapha said that the extension will begin on Tuesday, May 19 and last till the first week of June.

He also said that the 8.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. curfew put in place by the government would still be in place.