COVID-19: NGO calls for more action to curtail spread, suggests 14-day nationwide lockdown - As FG Shuts National Stadia

Abiodun OBA

An NGO ActionAid Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to take more actions to curtail the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Speaking in Abuja on the increased cases of the virus in the country, Ene Obi, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, said that it is necessary to fast-track the efforts of the Presidential Task Force on Control of COVID-19 in combating the spread of the virus.

“We commend some of the steps taken by the Presidential Task Force on the Control of Covid-19 thus far, but more needs to be done quickly and promptly. With the cases of infected persons increasing from 3 to 36 within a week, Nigeria needs to be ready for the worst-case scenario,” she said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, the concept of social distancing and self-isolation remains a mirage to many Nigerians.

“The average Nigerian, particularly those offline and at the grassroots are still ignorant and lack the basic safeguarding information on symptoms and prevention of the spread of the virus.

“As an organisation, we are concerned that no proactive steps are being taken at the community levels and the average woman in the market is still unaware that the virus is so contagious that infected person with high exposure can infect up to 2.5 million persons within 5 days as stated by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, during a press conference on Monday 23rd March 2020.

“We are worried that Nigeria’s level of preparedness to respond to COVID-19 is low and this further buttress the need to re-prioritise Nigeria’s budgetary provisions by investing more in healthcare facilities.

“Nigeria’s porous borders makes her susceptible to outbreaks and it is quite unfortunate that we still have public gathering across the nation with many Nigerians still going about their businesses in packed public transport.

“Outbreaks and pandemics create an opportunity to re-evaluate the potency of our healthcare system and authenticity of our citizens’ database which would have eased contact tracing of the imported cases of the coronavirus.

“ActionAid Nigeria, therefore, calls on the Federal Government to issue an order to lock down the country for the next 14 days to curtail further spread of the virus and review thereafter.

“Federal to open up emergency support for hospitals already coping with the treatment and bring on board the multitude of doctors (including others health workers) that are unemployed and recall retired doctors, and not wait till the crisis is full-blown.

“State governments to swiftly act by increasing the awareness on the proactive measures to prevent the spread of the virus at the grassroot level”, he pleaded.

Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, temporarily shut down to stem spread of the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has directed the temporary shutdown of all activities at four national stadia in the country to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Mr John Joshua-Akanji, Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

The affected stadia are the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja; Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna; Liberty Stadium, Ibadan; and National Stadium, Surulere-Lagos.

He said the facilities listed would not be available to the public until further notice.

Joshua-Akanji urged the general public to stay calm and safe by practising good personal hygiene and keeping social distance.

The ministry assured that the relevant agencies are working round the clock to eliminate the pandemic in Nigeria.