Address by
H.E Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the
COVID- 19 pandemic sunday, 29th March, 2020.
1. Fellow
Nigerians,
2. From the
first signs that Coronavirus, or COVID-19 was turning into an epidemic and was
officially declared a world-wide emergency, the Federal Government started
planning preventive, containment and curative measures in the event the disease
hits Nigeria.
3. The whole
instruments of government are now mobilized to confront what has now become
both a health emergency and an economic crisis.
4. Nigeria,
unfortunately, confirmed its first case on 27th February 2020. Since then, we
have seen the number of confirmed cases rise slowly.
5. By the
morning of March 29th, 2020, the total confirmed cases within Nigeria had risen
to ninety-seven.
6.
Regrettably, we also had our first fatality, a former employee of PPMC, who
died on 23rd March 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in this very
difficult time. We also pray for quick recovery for those infected and
undergoing treatment.
7. As of
today, COVID-19 has no cure. Scientists around the world are working very hard
to develop a vaccine.
8. We are in
touch with these institutions as they work towards a solution that will be
certified by international and local medical authorities within the shortest
possible time.
9. For now,
the best and most efficient way to avoid getting infected is through regular
hygienic and sanitary practices as well as social distancing.
10. As
individuals, we remain the greatest weapon to fight this pandemic. By washing
our hands regularly with clean water and soap, disinfecting frequently used
surfaces and areas, coughing into a tissue or elbow and strictly adhering to
infection prevention control measures in health facilities, we can contain this
virus.
11. Since
the outbreak was reported in China, our Government has been monitoring the
situation closely and studying the various responses adopted by other countries.
12. Indeed,
the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was one
of ten global health leaders invited by the World Health Organisation to visit
China and understudy their response approach. I am personally very proud of Dr
Ihekweazu for doing this on behalf of all Nigerians.
13. Since
his return, the NCDC has been implementing numerous strategies and programs in
Nigeria to ensure that the adverse impact of this virus on our country is
minimized. We ask all Nigerians to support the work the Federal Ministry of
Health and NCDC are doing, led by the Presidential Task Force.
14. Although
we have adopted strategies used globally, our implementation programs have been
tailored to reflect our local realities.
15. In
Nigeria, we are taking a two step approach.
16. First,
to protect the lives of our fellow Nigerians and residents living here and
second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners to ensure
their families get through this very difficult time in dignity and with hope
and peace of mind.
17. To date,
we have introduced healthcare measures, border security, fiscal and monetary
policies in our response. We shall continue to do so as the situation unfolds.
18. Some of
these measures will surely cause major inconveniences to many citizens. But
these are sacrifices we should all be willing and ready to make for the greater
good of our country.
19. In
Nigeria’s fight against COVID-19, there is no such thing as an overreaction or
an under reaction. It is all about the right reaction by the right agencies and
trained experts.
20.
Accordingly, as a Government, we will continue to rely on guidance of our
medical professionals and experts at the Ministry of Health, NCDC and other
relevant agencies through this difficult time.
21. I
therefore urge all citizens to adhere to their guidelines as they are released
from time to time.
22. As we
are all aware, Lagos and Abuja have the majority of confirmed cases in Nigeria.
Our focus therefore remains to urgently and drastically contain these cases,
and to support other states and regions in the best way we can.
23. This is
why we provided an initial intervention of fifteen billion Naira (N15b) to
support the national response as we fight to contain and control the spread.
24. We also
created a Presidential Task Force (PTF) to develop a workable National Response
Strategy that is being reviewed on a daily basis as the requirements change.
This strategy takes international best practices but adopts them to suit our
unique local circumstances.
25. Our goal
is to ensure all States have the right support and manpower to respond
immediately.
26. So far,
in Lagos and Abuja, we have recruited hundreds of ad-hoc staff to man our call
centers and support our tracing and testing efforts.
27. I also
requested, through the Nigeria Governors Forum, for all State Governments to
nominate Doctors and Nurses who will be trained by the NCDC and Lagos State
Government on tactical and operational response to the virus in case it spreads
to other states.
28. This
training will also include medical representatives from our armed forces,
paramilitary and security and intelligence agencies.
29. As a
nation, our response must be guided, systematic and professional. There is a
need for consistency across the nation. All inconsistencies in policy
guidelines between Federal and State agencies will be eliminated.
30. As I
mentioned earlier, as at this morning we had ninety-seven confirmed cases.
Majority of these are in Lagos and Abuja. All the confirmed cases are getting
the necessary medical care.
31. Our
agencies are currently working hard to identify cases and people these patients
have been in contact with.
32. The few
confirmed cases outside Lagos and Abuja are linked to persons who have
travelled from these centres.
33. We are
therefore working to ensure such inter state and intercity movements are
restricted to prevent further spread.
34. Based on
the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the
cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14
days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020. This restriction will
also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high
traffic between the two States.
35. All
citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes. Travel to or from other
states should be postponed. All businesses and offices within these locations
should be fully closed during this period.
36. The
Governors of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Minister of the FCT have been
notified. Furthermore, heads of security and intelligence agencies have also
been briefed.
37. We will
use this containment period to identify, trace and isolate all individuals that
have come into contact with confirmed cases. We will ensure the treatment of
confirmed cases while restricting further spread to other States.
38. This
order does not apply to hospitals and all related medical establishments as
well as organizations in health care related manufacturing and distribution.
39.
Furthermore, commercial establishments such as;
a. food
processing, distribution and retail companies;
b. petroleum
distribution and retail entities,
c. power
generation, transmission and distribution companies; and
d. private
security companies are also exempted.
40. Although
these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored.
41. Workers
in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff
who can prove they are unable to work from home are also exempted.
42. All
seaports in Lagos shall remain operational in accordance with the guidelines I
issued earlier. Vehicles and drivers conveying essential cargoes from these
Ports to other parts of the country will be screened thoroughly before
departure by the Ports Health Authority.
43.
Furthermore, all vehicles conveying food and other essential humanitarian items
into these locations from other parts of the country will also be screened
thoroughly before they are allowed to enter these restricted areas.
44.
Accordingly, the Hon. Minister of Health is hereby directed to redeploy all
Port Health Authority employees previously stationed in the Lagos and Abuja
Airports to key roads that serve as entry and exit points to these restricted
zones.
45.
Movements of all passenger aircraft, both commercial and private jets, are
hereby suspended. Special permits will be issued on a needs basis.
46. We are
fully aware that such measures will cause much hardship and inconvenience to many
citizens. But this is a matter of life and death, if we look at the dreadful
daily toll of deaths in Italy, France and Spain.
47. However,
we must all see this as our national and patriotic duty to control and contain
the spread of this virus. I will therefore ask all of us affected by this order
to put aside our personal comfort to safeguard ourselves and fellow human
beings. This common enemy can only be controlled if we all come together and
obey scientific and medical advice.
48. As we
remain ready to enforce these measures, we should see this as our individual
contribution in the war against COVID-19. Many other countries have taken far
stricter measures in a bid to control the spread of the virus with positive
results.
49. For
residents of satellite and commuter towns and communities around Lagos and
Abuja whose livelihoods will surely be affected by some of these restrictive
measures, we shall deploy relief materials to ease their pains in the coming
weeks.
50.
Furthermore, although schools are closed, I have instructed the Ministry of
Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to work with
State Governments in developing a strategy on how to sustain the school feeding
program during this period without compromising our social distancing policies.
The Minister will be contacting the affected States and agree on detailed next
steps.
51.
Furthermore, I have directed that a three month repayment moratorium for all
TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans be implemented with immediate
effect.
52. I have
also directed that a similar moratorium be given to all Federal Government
funded loans issued by the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and the
Nigeria Export Import Bank.
53. For
on-lending facilities using capital from international and multilateral
development partners, I have directed our development financial institutions to
engage these development partners and negotiate concessions to ease the pains
of the borrowers.
54. For the
most vulnerable in our society, I have directed that the conditional cash
transfers for the next two months be paid immediately. Our Internally displaced
persons will also receive two months of food rations in the coming weeks.
55. We also
call on all Nigerians to take personal responsibility to support those who are
vulnerable within their communities, helping them with whatever they may need.
56. As we
all pray for the best possible outcome, we shall continue planning for all
eventualities.
57. This is
why I directed that all Federal Government Stadia, Pilgrims camps and other
facilities be converted to isolation centers and makeshift hospitals.
58. My
fellow Nigerians, as a Government, we will avail all necessary resources to
support the response and recovery. We remain committed to do whatever it takes
to confront COVID-19 in our country.
59. We are
very grateful to see the emerging support of the private sector and individuals
to the response as well as our development partners.
60. At this
point, I will ask that all contributions and donations be coordinated and
centralized to ensure efficient and impactful spending. The Presidential Task
Force remains the central coordinating body on the COVID-19 response.
61. I want
to assure you all that Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies with a
role to play in the outbreak response are working hard to bring this virus
under control.
62. Every
nation in the world is challenged at this time. But we have seen countries
where citizens have come together to reduce the spread of the virus.
63. I will
therefore implore you again to strictly comply with the guidelines issued and
also do your bit to support Government and the most vulnerable in your
communities.
64. I will
take this opportunity to thank all our public health workforce, health care
workers, port health authorities and other essential staff on the frontlines of
the response for their dedication and commitment. You are true heroes.
65. I thank
you all for listening. May God continue to bless and protect us all.
