BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – The Centrum Initiative for Development and Fundamental Right Advocacy (CEDRA), has expressed serious concerns at the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government in arriving at a decision ordering the re-opening of offices and businesses in Abuja on Monday, May 4, 2020.
CEDRA specifically counseled that decisions bordering management of Covid-19 should be surrendered to scientists and not politicians or businessmen.
Chairman of CEDRA, Dr John Danfulani, in a statement noted that by implication, Monday will terminate the lockdown regime slammed on Abuja as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
Danfulani said that no effort is required to discern that quintessential scientific variables were not perused just as globally certified procedures were not followed before arriving at the decision.
He noted that the hasty decision was masterminded by political and economic reasons that do not have a base in empirical evidences of surge or spread of the disease nationally.
Danfulani further said; “Truth be told, the Federal Government’s decision to reopen Abuja on Monday, 4th May, 2020 was not a product of rigorous assessment of the situation and no concrete steps taken to avoid endangering workers and people living in Abuja and neighbouring states.
“We are not apostles of doom and negativity but this decision will surely boomerang. We saw how similar speed in reopening in Germany and other advanced countries converted gains gotten from their initial lockdowns to gargantuan nightmares.
“We counsel that decisions bordering management of Covid-19 be surrendered to scientists not politicians and businessmen. The later creams have proven to be incapable of taking decisions that make sense scientifically and empirically. Their core interests are political aggrandisement, exploitation and primitive accumulation.”
CEDRA also asked; “Has the federal government of Nigeria and owners of private properties housing businesses disinfected offices and premises? Is there a special re-arrangement of physical working environment to confirm with the golden rule of social distancing?
“Have workers in public and private sectors been tested and statuses known? Have public spaces like gardens, walkways and bus terminuses been disinfected?
“Have public spaces been equipped with sanitizers and other disinfectants for users? Have public spaces been re-arrange to comply with the social distancing directive of WHO and NCDC?
“Has the reality of most Abuja workers who live in parts of Kaduna, Niger, Kogi, and Nassara–states that Covid-19 is surging critical assessed? Was the realism that states that most Abuja workers are living-in are in total or partial lockdown considered?
“Were surges in close climes taken to cognisance before the decision?”
CEDRA therefore advised Nigerians to listen to scientists, public health experts, and their doctors but certainly not politicians and businessmen who are completely clueless and inherently selfish. Danfulani concluded by saying; “There is regrettable tragedy in listening to politicians and businessmen, now than ever.”
