Coronavirus cases now 323 in Nigeria — As Lagos, Julius Berger begin disinfection of major roads, bus stops

Five new coronavirus cases have been recorded in Lagos, Kwara and Katsina states thus bringing the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country to 323,

Of the five new cases, the NCDC said two each were recorded in Lagos and Kwara while one was reported in Katsina.

On Sunday via its Twitter handle, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control

said, “Five new cases of COVID-19 have been reported as follows: two in Lagos, two in Kwara, one in Katsina.

“As of 09:10 pm on the 12th of April, there are 323 confirmed cases of #COVID-19 reported in Nigeria. 85 have been discharged with 10 deaths.

“There are 19 states with confirmed cases in Nigeria.

“Currently, Lagos has 176 cases, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja – 56, Osun – 20, Edo – 12, Oyo – 11, Ogun – seven, Bauchi – six, Kaduna – six, Akwa Ibom – five, Katsina – five, Delta – three, Enugu – two, Ekiti – two, Rivers – two, Kwara – four, Ondo – two, Benue – one, Niger – one, Anambra – one and Kano – one.”

Residents of Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja are eagerly awaiting pronouncements from the Federal Government whether or not it will extend a two-week lockdown order which ends on Monday.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), had ordered the lockdown of the states and FCT to curb the spread of the coronavirus since March 31.

On Saturday Buhari issued a statement urging Nigerians to stay at home and to wash their hands to help save lives, but there was no indication whether the official confinement period would be extended past Monday.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has partnered construction giants, Julius Berger Plc to embark on the additional disinfecting and fumigation of some major roads in the state.

Speaking at the flag off of the exercise at Iddo Bus Stop over the weekend, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, said the gesture from Julius Berger Plc underscored the determination of the present administration to secure the lives of residents.

He added that the state government will continue to adopt measures to ensure the COVID-19 pandemic does not spread in the state and means of community transmission is curtailed.

Bello, who was represented by the Director Sanitation Services, Dr Hassan Sanuth at the flag off commended Julius Berger for providing trucks and tankers with dispensers and some of the chemicals to engage in disinfecting the surfaces and hand railings at major bus stops and some of the major roads.

He explained that the chemical being made us of for the exercise is a mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide and chlorine.

Bello listed the areas to be disinfected as Iddo Market- Costain- Oyingbo Iponri, Bode Thomas- Orile and its environs. Yaba, Jibowu, Maryland, Ojuelegba through to Ojota.

Other areas to be disinfected are Ikeja Under Bridge, Computer Village, Agidingbi Bus stop, Grammar School and Ojodu Berger.

The exercise will also touch the Tafawa Balewa Square, Marina, CMS, Inner Marina, Tinubu Square, Glover Road, Sura Bus stop, Upper Campos Bus stop and Obalende Roundabout.

Bello said the exercise has been designed to end by Monday and called on other well-meaning corporate organisations to also come forward and give back to the state where they have been carrying out their businesses in whatever form they desire.