Coronavirus: 7 Major Points From Buhari’s Address To Nigerians

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday addressed Nigerians in a live broadcast on the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

Naija News reports that Buhari revealed strategies the federal government was taking to curb the virus.

See seven talking points in the coronavirus address below:

Lagos, Ogun and FCT Lockdown

Buhari said “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. 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.

“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.

“This order does not apply to hospitals and all related medical establishments as well as organizations in health care-related manufacturing and distribution.”

Payment of Stipends of the Most Vulnerable

Buhari said, “for the most vulnerable in our society, I have directed that the conditional cash transfers for the next two months be paid immediately”.

“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.

“As we all pray for the best possible outcome, we shall continue planning for all eventualities.”

Food Supply to IDPs For Two Months

The president also said food items will be distributed to internally displaced persons for two months.

“Our Internally displaced persons will also receive two months of food rations in the coming weeks,” the president said. He expressed gratitude to the private sector for standing up to the challenge.

“We are very grateful to see the emerging support of the private sector and individuals to the response as well as our development partners.

“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.”

Buhari Govt Suspend Loan Repayment

He said: “I have directed that a three-month repayment moratorium for all TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans be implemented with immediate effect.

“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.

“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.”

FG to Convert Stadiums To Isolation Centres

The president “directed that all Federal Government Stadiums, Pilgrims camps and other facilities be converted to isolation centers and makeshift hospitals”.

“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.”

Buhari Stops Movement of Private Jets

The president also announced that the “movements of all passenger aircraft, both commercial and private jets, are hereby suspended. Special permits will be issued on a needs basis.

“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.”

Journalists and Some Others are Exempted

There were a few exemptions to most of the president’s orders on shutdowns. According to him, “commercial establishments such as;

food processing, distribution and retail companies;
petroleum distribution and retail entities,
power generation, transmission and distribution companies; and
private security companies are also exempted.
Workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff who can prove they are unable to work from home are also exempted.”