Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the mandate of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 “for a further period till the end of March 2021 bearing in mind the new surge in the number of cases and the bid for vaccines”.
The president disclosed this Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the End-of-Year Report of the task force.
The decision came amidst reports indicating that Nigeria is now facing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide similar to the second wave of infections in other countries of the world.
In a statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said recent reports reaching him indicate that Nigeria is now facing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide “which is similar to the second wave of infections occurring in other countries across the world”.
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“New epicentres have been identified and the nation cannot afford to lose the gains of the last nine months. I have critically evaluated the situation and remain convinced that urgent measures have to be taken to halt the spread and the attendant fatalities,” Buhari said.
“Closely associated with the foregoing is the need to speedily and strategically access and administer the COVID vaccine in a safe, effective and timely manner. This is an important obligation that we owe Nigerians as we go into the year 2021 and it must be carried out through efficient machinery,” he said.
The president said the country is clearly in a perilous situation given the virulent nature of this second wave and that government must act decisively to protect citizens.
“I, therefore, urge all sub-national entities, traditional rulers, religious and leaders of thought to collaborate with the PTF by taking up the responsibility for risk communication and community engagement at all levels. Now is the time for collective efforts to be intensified.
“As the festive season approaches, I urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and stay safe. Non-essential trips and large social gatherings should be avoided or shelved completely,” he said.
Buhari noted that the successes recorded by the PTF in managing the control of the pandemic since March 2020 are largely attributable to the multi-sectoral approach adopted by the government, the proactive steps taken and the commitment of its members.
He stated that Nigeria has much to do in the health sector, including building the human and institutional capacity to provide a world-class 21st-century healthcare system capable of responding effectively to future pandemics.
Others, he said, include developing a viable strategy for the primary and tertiary healthcare system, re-aligning institutional mandates and functions within the health sector for effectiveness and efficiency, distinguishing policy and coordination from implementation responsibilities, and strengthening the statutory and regulatory capacities within the health sector.
Buhari said he has authorised extension of the mandate of the PTF for a further period till the end of March 2021, and that the PTF should coordinate the process for planning and the strategy for accessing, delivery and administration of COVID vaccines using the existing health structures that have worked in the past in vaccine administration.
He also authorised the PTF to engage with the states for them to assume full ownership of this stage of the response by deploying legal structures and resources, including enforcement to manage the pandemic within their jurisdictions, adding that details of the advisory measures have already been announced.
Similarly, the president authorised the PTF and the Nigeria Immigration Service to ensure that all in-bound passengers who failed to show up for post-arrival COVID-19 test are sanctioned within the ambit of the law for breaching the public health protocols.
