Alarmed by the rising coronavirus cases in the country, the National Economic Council NEC, has called for strict enforcement of compliance protocols
The Council which is made of Governors of the 36 States of the federation, at its monthly meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday, expressed alarm at the spike in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria and resolved to act on the strict enforcement of measures to contain the spread of the disease across the country.
In a resolution after the virtual meeting attended by State Governors, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and other federal ministers, the Council noted that it “is alarmed that the current trends are now approaching or surpassing the levels reached during the lockdown imposed at the height of the epidemic earlier in the year.”
The Council also resolved to enlarge its Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19, chaired by the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa by adding the Governors of Ogun and Kaduna, in addition to the Governors of Lagos, Bauchi, Plateau, Kano, Anambra and the FCT Minister, who were already members
They also mandated the committee to urgently come up with additional measures to deal with the spike in cases, NEC noted that “the country is now experiencing a huge resurgence of COVID-19 patients needing intensive care and the existing health facilities are fast becoming overwhelmed.”
Minister of Health is also a member of the Committee, while the Federal Ministers of Information and Youth and Sports have also been asked to join.
This is they directed Health and Information Commissioners in the States to be co-opted into the assignment.
The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo , in his address, called on the Committee to urgently develop innovative and new measures to curtail the spread of the disease, acting in the best interests of both the health and overall welfare of Nigerians.
The Council had earlier received a briefing on the coronavirus disease pandemic in Nigeria from the relevant government agencies.
“NEC is alarmed that the current trends are now approaching or surpassing the levels reached during the lockdown imposed at the height of the epidemic earlier in the year.
“The trends also show that more and more younger people are getting infected. While many of the young victims may be asymptomatic or recover without serious illness, they pass the virus to older and more vulnerable people, especially people with pre-existing health conditions, who develop serious illnesses and may easily lose their lives in the process.
“Sadly, the country is now experiencing a huge resurgence of COVID-19 patients needing intensive care and the existing health facilities are fast becoming overwhelmed.
“NEC notes that this increase is being accelerated by non-compliance with the non-pharmaceutical interventions advised by government, including the wearing of masks, limiting of gatherings, especially indoors and the washing/sanitization of hands.
The Council said it firmly resolves to advocate rigorous and strict enforcement of the non-pharmaceutical interventions listed
These include restricting all physical gatherings and instead opt for virtual meetings, whenever possible.
” If physical meetings must be held, ensure there is adequate ventilation of the room, limit the number of attendees, wear face masks, maintain a physical distance of at least two metres and adhere to other public health measures.
They also will ensure that the policy of ” no mask, no entry, no service are enforced all staff members, visitors and customers entering workplaces, shops, entertainment or business premises must wear a face mask that should cover the mouth and nose at all times, and should not remove them, especially if speaking to another person in close proximity.
“Temperature checks must be carried out on all employees and customers entering office and business premises (any person with a temperature 38 degrees Celsius or above, should be denied entry and advised to go for a health check).
“All office and business premises must have a handwashing station with running water and soap or hand sanitizer at the entrance. Employers and business owners have a responsibility to ensure hand sanitizers are always refilled and soap and water always available.
The Council directed that all offices, shops and business premises must be well-ventilated and cleaned regularly throughout the day, ensuring that frequently touched surfaces like desks, countertops, work stations, railings, door handles, are cleaned and disinfected.
” occupational health and infectious diseases preparedness plan must be in place, in case an employee, customer or visitor becomes unwell.
“The continued spread of COVID-19 puts increased pressure on our already fragile health systems and threaten Nigeria’s economy. Traditional, social and religious leaders are therefore urged to play their own part by promptly taking responsible and decisive actions to help stop the spread and upsurge of the virus in Nigeria.
Members of the National Economic Council also commiserated with families of the Kankara schoolboys who were abducted by terrorists in Katsina State while also consoling with the entire people and government of the State.
The Council expressed outrage on the kidnapping of the boys in their school premises and utterly condemned the brazen act of the abductors as not only criminal and lawless but a deliberate attempt to sow seeds of fear in people.
The members while supporting immediate steps already taken by the Federal and State governments to rescue the boys, urged for more effective collaboration between security agencies and the communities to ensure that such despicable act does not repeat itself anywhere in the country.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National planning, Zainab Ahmed in her submission to the Council, put the Excess Crude Account (ECA) – at $72,410,574.08, Stabilization Account at ₦26,433,355,427.91, and Development of Natural Resources
Account, at ₦156,690,002,234.58
