*Presidential Task Force Chairman on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha reacting to the proposed lockdown by 36 governors of Nigeria
Mr. Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to State Government (SSG) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to combat the dreaded Coronavirus has said the federal government was yet to take a position on the decision made by all the 36 state governors regarding the proposed interstate lockdown.
Governors of the 36 states in the country in their recent teleconference meeting resolved to adopt interstate lockdown for two weeks to ensure that the country wins the war against the spread of the dreaded disease. Reacting to the news on Thursday, Mustapha said his task force would meet and take a holistic look at all proposals before making its recommendation to President Muhammadu Buhari regarding the position of the governors.
Recall that Lagos State, Ogun State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja were ordered to lockdown by the president. First for 14 days and at the expiration of the first 14, days, the president again addressed the nation and extended the lockdown for another 14 days. Much later, a few other states joined in the lockdown order as the virus continued to spread like wildfire.
Mr. Mustapha however said, “This will not be taken in isolation. I am assuring you we are working in synergy with the state governors and some national entities. By the time we are through with this phase, going into the third phase, it will be a more collaborative effort and that will have taken into consideration the inputs and interests of many segments of our society.”
Confirming that the federal government is in receipt of the warning by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), he said although he received a letter from NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, the labour leader as a representative of the working class should be aware that lockdown is a global issue.
