BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday announced the extension of the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for another 14days effective from 11:59pm on Monday, April 13, 2020.
President Buhari, who announced the extension in a national broadcast that lasted about 20 minutes, said the previously issued guidelines on exempted services shall remain.
He said that this is a difficult decision to take, but he is convinced that it is the right decision, adding that the evidence is clear.
The President also said that the measure became necessary having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered.
Buhari pleaded with Nigerians to work with Government in this fight, stressing that; “This is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death. Mosques in Makkah and Madina have been closed. The Pope celebrated Mass on an empty St. Peter’s Square. The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris held Easter Mass with less than 10 people. India, Italy and France are in complete lockdown. Other countries are in the process of following suit. We cannot be lax.
He further said; “The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable. We must not lose the gains achieved thus far. We must not allow a rapid increase in community transmission. We must endure a little longer.
“The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable. We must not lose the gains achieved thus far. We must not allow a rapid increase in community transmission. We must endure a little longer.
“I will therefore take this opportunity to urge you all to notify the relevant authorities if you or your loved ones develop any symptoms. I will also ask our health care professionals to redouble their efforts to identify all suspected cases, bring them into care and prevent transmission to others,” he said.
President Buhari noted that no country can afford the full impact of a sustained restriction of movement on its economy, adding however that he is fully aware of the great difficulties experienced especially by those who earn a daily wage such as traders, day-workers, artisans and manual workers.
He noted that for this group, their sustenance depends on their ability to go out just as their livelihoods depend on them mingling with others and about seeking work.
In the words of the President; “But despite these realities we must not change the restrictions. In the past two weeks, we announced palliative measures such as food distribution, cash transfers and loans repayment waivers to ease the pains of our restrictive policies during this difficult time. These palliatives will be sustained.
Buhari said that he has also directed that the current social register be expanded from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks, adding that this means that the Federal Government will support an additional one million homes with its social investment programs.
He said that a technical committee is working on this and will submit a report to him by the end of this week.
The President also noted that Security Agencies have risen to the challenges posed by this unprecedented situation with gallantry.
While commending the security agencies, he urged them to continue to maintain utmost vigilance, firmness as well as restraint in enforcing the restriction orders while not neglecting statutory security responsibilities.
The President urged Nigerians to follow the instructions on social distancing, adding that the irresponsibility of the few can lead to the death of the many, stressing that; “Your freedom ends where other people’s rights begin.”
