Chairman of the Presidential Task Force, PTF, on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, has revealed that Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, remain where community spread of the Coronavirus is prevalent.
He disclosed this yesterday when he received a donation of N10 million worth of personal protective equipment, PPE, from Rotary District 9125.
Olusegun Adekunle, permanent secretary (General Services Office), represented him at the occasion. He said that 20 local government areas currently contributed 60 per cent of the COVID-19 cases in the country.
He listed the affected areas as Mainland, Abuja Municipal, Mushin, Eti-Osa, Tarauni, Katsina, Alimosho, Maiduguri, Kosofe and Dutse.
Others are Ikeja, Nassarawa, Oshodi/Isolo, Apapa, Amuwo Odofin, Oredo, Bauchi, Lagos Island, Surulere and Ado Odo/Ota.
The SGF blamed the rising community spread of the pandemic to poor level of compliance with the precautionary measures at the community level.
He appealed to the group, led by its Governor, Victor Onukhugwa, to take the COVID-19 pandemic awareness campaign to the communities.
“We want to sensitise Nigerians on the dangers of this development,” he said. “We urge Rotary to help us take the awareness further. The risk management team is available to share strategy with the organisation.”
The SGF further warned that the ravaging effect of COVID-19 pandemic “was there for everyone to see, including the impact on both governance and the economy.”
“It is for us to strategise for a new way of life. A good number of staff have not been at work for the past four months. The impact of this on the economy is glaring.
“The fatality rate is quite high. We keep telling Nigerians that please these are not just numbers, but brothers, sisters and colleagues that have passed on.
“Some groups and clubs have been trying hard for us to control this. The resources needed to fight the virus are enormous,” he said.
He lauded the group for the donation, saying that some of the items had become scarce commodity due to a global demand.
“We acknowledge that the donations are useful. The items are being chased globally, even, if you have resources you might not get them.
“The donation is gratifying because hundreds of medical personnel have been infected, perhaps due to lack of the kits.
“They will be used judiciously and it will be accounted for. We received these items with gratitude.”
Credit: Agency report.