By Williams Anuku Abuja
The impact of the second wave of Covid-19 and the need to bring the situation under control may have compelled President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the mandate of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
The extension is for a further period till the end of March, 2021.
This comes as the country strengthens it lobbying to access the vaccines.
The President took the decision on Tuesday in Abuja, while receiving the End-of-Year Report of the task force.
According to the President, “recent reports reaching me 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.
“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.
“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 year 2021 and it must be carried out through an efficient machinery.”
The President added that “the nation is clearly in a perilous situation given the virulent nature of this second wave and we must act decisively to protect our people. 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.”
In the report, the presidency acknowledged that the year 2020 has been most challenging for the whole of humanity as a result of the havoc wreaked by the COVID-19 on lives, livelihoods, global and national economies, governance structures, health, social welfare and other systems.
According to the government, it has consumed an inordinate amount of resources deployed to address it by countries of the world, without abating.
The Federal Government said sadly, the COVID 19 pandemic has also taken and keeps taking, precious lives of our loved ones, leaving several homes, families and associates to mourn.
“May the Almighty God grant all those that have lost their lives to this deadly virus eternal rest, “it stated.
According to Buhari, over the last nine months, he received a total of eight Interim Reports along with one Mid-Term Report, apprising him progressively of developments on the COVID-19 pandemic, from the Presidential Task Force.
” I similarly approved several far-reaching measures recommended to support the achievement of the objectives of our National Response. I have been in constant touch about the pandemic in all corners of our country.
“Let me also add that I have religiously followed the daily national briefings by the PTF which has become the platform for communicating with Nigerians and the most authentic source of information which substantially reduced the space for fake news.
“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.