Coronavirus: FG Shuts Down Varsities, Unity Schools, Airports [LEADERSHIP]
As it rolled more measures against the spread of coronavirus, the federal government has ordered the closure of all its universities and 104 unity schools in the country.
The directive takes effect from March 26, 2020, the Federal Ministry of Education said in a statement issued yesterday by its director of Press and Public Relations, Ben Bem Goong, on behalf of the minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.
Adamu mandated all the principals of the unity colleges to fast track the on-going second term examinations and close the schools till further notice.
It urged management of all the unity colleges to immediately activate necessary emergency procedures and processes such as the provision of alcohol-based sanitisers, and hand-washing facilities among others and also called on students to strictly adhere to the principles and best practices of good hygiene.
The statement also directed the principals to immediately report any suspicious case to the nearest health authorities.
Also, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, said that the decision to close down the schools was to protect students/pupils from the COVID-19 scourge.
Already some state governments and the management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have closed down school and the scheme to check the spread of the virus.
Echono said: “We have directed all higher institutions to close this weekend. Unity Schools that have completed their exams are to close immediately. Others are to hurry and close the latest on 26th March.”
The Lagos State government has also closed down schools in the state.
An official of the ministry of education said that the government is accessing the situation, adding that on Sunday, a decision would be taken whether to shut down all the tertiary institutions of learning.
The Enugu State government has also directed public and private primary and secondary schools in the state to conclude all activities in their schools and shut down on or before Friday, March 27, 2020.
The secretary to the state government (SSG), Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, announced the decision in a statement yesterday.
The state government enjoined teachers and students to continue to observe the School Water Sanitisation and Hygiene Programme (WASH) operative in the state.
It also enjoined them to observe other standard personal hygiene protocol for the prevention of COVID-19 infection.
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has directed the closure of public and private schools across the state as part of precautionary measures against the threat posed by the coronavirus.
A statement signed by the commissioner for Education, Muhammad Sanusi Sa’idu Kiru, indicates that the indefinite vacation becomes effective from Monday, March 23, 2020.
According to the release, parents are to ensure that they evacuate their wards from boarding schools not later than Sunday.
Similarly, the Benue State government has ordered the closure of all schools in the state by Friday, 27th March, 2020, as part of measures to nib in the bud the spread COVID-19.
Briefing journalists after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting yesterday, the commissioner for Education, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, said that all schools in the state had been directed to conclude their examinations on or before Friday next week and proceed on holidays.
The commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Sunday Ongbabo, said that Benue has established an isolation centre at the state University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, while working with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to be on the alert in the event that any of those in contact with the eight positive cases in the country has made their way into the state.
In the same vein, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has directed both public and private schools in Abuja to shot down till further notice.
The minister of state for FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, gave the directive in Abuja yesterday during a meeting with heads of secretariats, departments and agencies (SDAs) under her supervision.
She also directed that social gatherings and worship centres should be restricted to avoid large gatherings that could further endanger the health of others.
Aliyu also directed that shop owners who fail to provide hand sanitisers and other preventive measures should be closed down indefinitely.
A statement by the special assistant to the FCT minister of state, Austine Elemue, added that the acting executive secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Board (PHCB), Dr. Iwot Ndaeyo, said the board would mobilise all the stakeholders in the rural communities to drive the campaign.
The federal government has also shut down three international airports in the country to curb further spread of coronavirus pandemic.
The affected airports are Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
Their closure was contained in a statement signed by the director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu.
He said the three airports would be closed till further notice effective Saturday, March 21.
Nuhu said that the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, would still be opened but no flight from the 13 COVID-19 high-risk countries would be allowed into the country.
PMB’s Daughter In Self-isolation After UK Trip
One of President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughters yesterday went into self-isolation after returning from the United Kingdom (UK).
This was disclosed by the wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, in a tweet.
She said that based on the advice of the minister of health, her daughter is on self-isolation and not because she displayed any symptoms of the COVID-19.
She also shut down her office for two weeks with immediate effect and advised essential members of staff to work from home because of their colleagues, who recently returned from the UK.
Aisha Buhari tweeted: “Good afternoon Nigerians, earlier today my daughter returned from the UK being among the high burden listed countries of COVID-19.
“Based on the advice of the Hon. Minister Of Health, Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and that of NCDC, she is on self-isolation, not because she displayed any symptoms of the COVID-19.
“Please I urge all parents to do the same if possible as prevention is better than cure.
“Similarly, I have shut down my office for two weeks with immediate effect while essential staff can work from home as a result of some staff who recently returned from the UK.
“I commend the Northwestern governors including Niger and Kwara on preventive measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19 at their security meeting yesterday (Wednesday) in Kaduna.
“Let’s keep following the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, which encourages maintaining social distancing, high hygiene culture through regular washing of hands with soaps and sanitisers.
“Let’s adopt preventive measures and ensure the safety of our families and that of general public.
“We will overcome the COVID-19 pandemic if we all take the necessary precautions at the same time! God bless you all,” she said.
US Okays Chloroquine For Treatment
Meanwhile, United States President, Donald Trump, has that chloroquine, a drug used to treat malaria and severe arthritis, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to test as a COVID-19 treatment, as the number of cases in his country continues to increase.
Trump disclosed this at press conference yesterday where top US officials and himself answered several questions.
An online journal had earlier disclosed that early data from clinical trials being performed in China revealed that chloroquine phosphate could help treat the new coronavirus disease.
Deputy head, China National Center for Biotechnology Development, Sun Yanrong, had also said that earlier that chloroquine was selected after several screening rounds of thousands of existing drugs.
Data from the drug’s studies showed ‘certain curative effect’ with ‘fairly good efficacy.
According to Sun, “Patients treated with chloroquine demonstrated a better drop in fever, improvement of lung CT images, and required a shorter time to recover compared to parallel groups.
“The percentage of patients with negative viral nucleic acid tests was also higher with the anti-malarial drug.
“Chloroquine has so far showed no obvious serious adverse reactions in the more than 100 participants in the trials.”
The China National Center for Biotechnology Development head Zhang Xinmin said that chloroquine is one of the three drugs that have a promising profile against the new coronavirus, reported China Daily. The remaining two drugs are anti-flu medicine favipiravir and Gilead’s investigational anti-viral candidate remdesivir.
Also, the NCDC while speaking on the news of chloroquine being the preferred treatment for the COVID-19, recently in Abuja, said: “For chloroquine, it is still work in progress as a lot of research is going on. In China, they are having preliminary phased clinical trials using chloroquine and hydroxyl-chloroquine.
“They have enrolled about one hundred patients, and have administered chloroquine to them. It was found that the chloroquine-phosphate was superior to the controlled treatment in inhibiting the interpretation of the pneumonia that the patient had and improving lung imaging.
“By the time they did x-ray, they discovered that those on chloroquine had better lung imaging with findings than those on the controlled therapy, and that there was promotion of the virus negative conversion rate. These are still early findings that need to be validated with more trials before we can say chloroquine is the treatment of choice. There are other treatment regimens that are being considered.”
Africa Records 400 Cases In One Week – WHO
The World Health Organisaion (WHO) has said that over 600 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in 34 African countries as of 19th March, compared with 147 cases a week ago.
WHO, in a statement, said that 12 countries in the African region are now experiencing local transmission and urged governments to prevent local transmission from evolving into a worst case scenario of widespread sustained community transmission.
WHO regional director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, said: “The rapid evolution of COVID-19 in Africa is deeply worrisome and a clear signal for action. But we can still change the course of this pandemic. Governments must draw on all of their resources and capabilities and strengthen their response.
“Africa can learn from the experiences of other countries which have seen a sharp decline in COVID-19 cases through rapidly scaling up testing, isolating cases and meticulously tracking contacts.”
According to the statement, understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic will evolve in Africa is still a work in progress, adding that the response will need to be adapted to the African context.
WHO further stated that it has been supporting governments with early detection by providing COVID-19 testing kits to countries in Africa, training lab technicians, and strengthening surveillance in communities.
It said: “Forty-five countries in Africa can now test for COVID-19. At the start of the outbreak, only two could do so. WHO is also providing remote support to affected countries on the use of electronic data tools, so national health authorities can better understand the outbreak in their countries.
“Personal protective equipment has been shipped to 24 countries, and a second shipment is being prepared for countries with confirmed cases.”
4 More Cases Confirmed In Lagos
The Lagos commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has confirmed four new cases of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state,
With this, there are now a total of 12 cases in the country.
The commissioner confirmed the new cases at a news briefing yesterday.
Abayomi explained that 19 people were tested on Wednesday, adding that the four people who tested positive had been isolated for treatment at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.
He said that the first of the four new cases was a woman who had contact with another woman who came from United Kingdom (UK) some days ago, who had tested positive of the disease.
The second new case, he said was a female who returned from France on 14th March on a Turkish Airline, TK 1830.
The third case, he said, was a Nigerian male in his 50s who had not travelled anywhere, but was tested positive to the disease.
Abayomi stated that the fourth was a Nigerian male who arrived in the country on 13th March from Frankfurt to Lagos on Lufthansa Airline, flight number LH568.
The commissioner, however, said more tests were still being carried out, adding that, “we have a combination of imported cases and local transmission. The executive of Lagos State is meeting on the next stage of social distancing.
“The best way to slow the rate is to halt the movement of the virus from person to person,” he said.
FG, States To Set Up Isolation Centres
In another development, the federal government and state governments have agreed to set up functional test and isolation centres in every state of the federation to curb the spread of coronavirus.
This was disclosed by the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Kayode Fayemi, after a meeting of the forum on Wednesday night in Abuja.
He also disclosed that the forum had constituted a sub-committee consisting of the governors of Kaduna (chair), Kebbi, Ebonyi, Ogun, Nasarawa, Edo and Jigawa to review the trend of falling oil prices and advice the state governments on the next set of actions required to address challenges in economy.
Senate Suspends Public Hearings, Shuts Gallery
In the National Assembly, the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has announced the suspension public hearings and restriction of access to its chamber because of the growing concerns over coronavirus in the country.
Lawan spoke yesterday after the Senate embarked on a closed session at the resumption of plenary to deliberate on the devastating impact the spread of the disease may cause in the absence of preventive measures.
He said: “The Senate resolves to suspend all public hearings till further notice as a result of the coronavirus, COVID-19.
“In addition, the Senate gallery will remain closed to the public till further notice including excursions from schools and organisations from Tuesday, 24th March, 2020,” Lawan said.
…Go For Test, Lawan Tells Senators
Lawan also urged lawmakers who just returned from foreign trips to go for coronavirus test.
Lawan added that the lawmakers should place themselves under self-isolation for 14 days before appearing in the chamber for legislative business.
Lawan stated this during an executive session before the commencement of plenary yesterday.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Godiya Akwasiki (Nasarawa North), who briefing journalist, said that Lawan had asked all the lawmakers who recently returned from foreign trips to isolate themselves for two weeks.
On why President Muhammadu Buhari was yet to address the country on the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the Senate resolution, he said that although there were procedures for the president to do so via the television, he declared that if in the next one week, the president does not act, the leadership of National Assembly would engage the executive.
PMB Explains Current Reforms
On his path, Buhari has explained why he ordered the repositioning of the economy, starting with a review of 2020 budget to reflect realities in oil sector, and prioritising health sector infrastructure to respond to the threats posed by COVID-19.
In a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu , he said that the president gave the directive after the second regular meeting of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), which also recommended the securitisation of government debt, design and institutionalisation of a revenue stabilisation programme and the imperative of cutting the cost of governance at all levels.
At the meeting held in the State House, the president agreed with the council on the need to prepare the country to take the necessary tough economic decisions, including embarking on a national agenda of stakeholder mobilization, bringing the National Assembly, government organs, private sector and civil society together around a programme to respond to the major challenges confronting the nation.
While highlighting the immediate and short-term measures to consider and implement in order to mitigate any adverse economic effects, Shehu said that the meeting reviewed the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential economic spillover effects on the global and Nigerian economy.
At LEADERSHIP Conference/Awards: Speakers Set Agenda, List Gains Of Border Closure [LEADERSHIP]
The issue of border closure was the subject of conversation at yesterday’s LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards ceremony, with economic experts and informed stakeholders expressing their views on the propriety and benefits of the federal government’s policy.
Discussions at the annual event unanimously pointed to federal government’s decision to close the country’s land borders as one of the strongest impressions the Buhari administration has made.
Guests at the magnificent auditorium of the International Conference Centre (ICC), venue of the conference and awards ceremony, listened with rapt attention as eminent personalities added their perspectives on the theme of this year’s edition of the annual event: “The Economics of Border Closure”.
Speaking at the event, former vice president and chairman of the occasion, Architect Namadi Sambo, said against the backdrop of insecurity, human and drugs trafficking and smuggling of illegal firearms, among other menaces that threaten national stability, President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that the nation’s borders should be closed is one of the most impactful policies of the current administration.
Sambo noted that the choice of this year’s theme of the conference and awards ceremony was apt as it was coming barely seven months after the closure of the country’s borders.
“The choice of this year’s theme, ‘The Economics of Border Closure’ is indeed very apt. The border closure remains one of the most impactful policies of the Buhari-led administration that seeks to curb the challenges of smuggling of firearms and drugs, human trafficking, trans-border insurgency among several infractions that have continued to threaten the peace, stability and economy of Nigeria as a nation,” he stated.
He added that the management of LEADERSHIP Group Ltd deserved commendation for the noble initiative of organising the annual conference and awards, which he described as prestigious.
Noting that the conference and awards ceremony had become an agenda-setting platform for national discourse over the years, the former VP said, “Today’s event is a deliberate attempt by the organisers to recognise excellence and promote hard work in both the public and private sectors towards nation building and humanity.
“Let me therefore formally begin by congratulating the award recipients for being found worthy for the LEADERSHIP Awards. It goes without saying that the event for which we are here assembled is one of the most prestigious and the most sought after of its kind anywhere in the country.
“Also worthy of note is the annual conference which has become an agenda setting process by the LEADERSHIP Newspapers. Beyond the traditional role of the media to educate, enlighten and entertain the public, also lies the responsibility to set an agenda for national discourse. That is evident in the commendable efforts of LEADERSHIP Newspapers since its inception”.
The managing director and chief executive officer of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr Uche Orji, reassured that the recent crash in the price of oil was a temporary setback that would soon be a thing of the past.
To the current crash in oil price, I say this too shall come to pass”, Orji, who was the guest speaker at this year’s LEADERSHIP conference and awards ceremony said.
He noted that Nigeria’s border closure demonstrated the implementation gap that has continued to exist between the texts of regional or international trade agreements, and the actual measures that some African governments adopt.
He pointed out that recent developments following the border closure suggest that many African countries were worrisomely unprepared to implement their African Continental Free Trade Agreements (AfCFTA) commitments when it goes into effect.
According to him, border closure across the globe was nothing unusual, especially following the recent coronavirus pandemic that has sent panic across countries.
He explained that ports were even more critical in a developing country like Nigeria, saying they facilitate economic growth and promote social development and prosperity.
He described the recent action of the federal government against the country’s recalcitrant neighbours like Benin Republic as a boost for the country’s domestic producers.
According to him, until the closure, investment in Nigerian agriculture was being hamstrung by trafficking, especially in rice which is estimated to reach two million tonnes a year.
He added that since the closure, locally-milled rice has started selling, and the entire rice value chain has been positively impacted.
Orji further said that the country has seen a quantum leap in domestic fertiliser production since the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) was initiated with the revival of almost 18 blending plants producing a lot of the NPK in the country.
To make the border closure work, the NISA boss advised that the country must implement a national trading platform, boost her savings base, improve domestic manufacturing, ensure a more efficient security at the border and all necessary assistance given to local manufacturers to thrive and reap the gains of the closure.
He said to prevent the AfCFTA from entering the history books as yet another set of failed aspirations, it was imperative that African leaders signal they are committed to implementing it, matching their words with concrete deeds to effectively affect intra-regional trade and development outcomes.
Orji warned that without the willingness by countries to take seriously commitments made under the AfCFTA and match their words with concrete deeds, the AfCFTA risks not being the game changer it could be.
He said AFCFTA must be balanced and Nigeria would also need to build necessary ports infrastructure required to handle prospective growth in international trade as this would enhance the productive capacity of the nation and improve the prosperity of its citizens with lower costs.
We Must Consume What We Produce – Ayade
Also speaking, Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade said with the effect of Coronavarius currently ravaging the world’s economy and killing people, the federal government should consider isolation in trade and ensure that Nigerians only consume what they can produce.
Ayade who was conferred with the LEADERSHIP Governor of the Year 2019 award at the event said, “While coronavirus have taken 8,000 lives globally, hunger takes about 8 million daily. Hunger is a product of lack of food. Lack of food is a product of poor agricultural practice and so food security is at the peace centre of governance.
“Any government structure that does not reflect and intensify on the value of mankind and put dignity to humanity would have failed. Time has come for Nigerians to know that this country cannot continue to survive with continued importation.
“We just closed our entry points due to coronavarius and let’s assume that we continue for two months, this country will run out of food and drugs. So, it is time isolationism becomes our new philosophy and Nigeria should only consume that that we produce. So, we are focusing on agriculture and industrial revolution has equally started. We will move into heavy industries, ICT and 3d printings.”
He further stated that no amount of infrastructure can be equivalent to the structure and value of mankind, noting that as a government Cross River State is focused on it citizens, which explains why agro-industrial revolution has become the key point of his administration.
The governor continued: “We are happy to announce that over 33 factories have been built in less than five years and we are hoping to do more. Let me also add that our brothers in Northern Nigeria, who also face challenging circumstance to grow crops but unfortunately cannot export, have solid minerals they cannot export, have such vast resources that if harnessed, the Northern part of Nigeria can be wealthier than the southern part but unfortunately, cannot because of access road, the construction of the super highway is important and critical for the people of Northern part of Nigeria to move their goods through the super highway and export to other countries.
“Against that background, it will enable them also to export their solid minerals and we believe that Cross River State is the gateway to Lagos.”
DisCos Owe N230bn, Underinvested By N164bn – NEC [LEADERSHIP]
The ad-hoc committee on the Ownership Review and Analysis of DisCos and Electricity Sector Reform set up by the National Economic Council (NEC) has revealed that power Distribution Companies (DisCos) made an underinvestment of N164 billion (67 per cent) between 2015 and 2018 contrary to their Performance Agreement Target (PAT).
The companies are also indebted to the market to the tune of N230 billion, the committee said in its report to the National Economic Council (NEC).
The findings formed part of the report, which the committee headed by Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai-, presented to NEC yesterday at a meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa, Abuja.
Briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, Nasarawa State governor, Abdulahi Sule, said the report noted that upon the review of National Council on Privatisation (NCP) and National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) documentation, it has been determined that the states’ average shareholding in the Discos is 27.3 per cent based on levels of state governments’ investment prior to privatization.
The governor stated that “between 2015 and 2018, the Discos underinvested relative to their Performance Agreement Target by 164bn (67%) and benefitted from investments by NDPHC/REA in their networks to the tune N147billion.
“Board composition across DisCos was disproportionately skewed towards private investors while states and LGAs have no representation,” he said.
On reform revitalization, the report stated that the Electricity Power Sector Reform (EPSRA) established a good framework for driving the reform, through a multi stage competitive approach, the establishment of an independent regulator, and mechanism to protect the poor
“The sector has underperformed due to critical challenges which includes non-implementation of cost relative tariffs, misalignment between the investors and BPE on required investment in Discos, underinvestment in infrastructure and poor implementation of rules/ contracts
“Urgent measures needed to turn the sector around includes: recapitalisation of DisCos, firm implementation of industry rules/ contracts and the insistence on sound governance principles that improves performance.”
He said the report posited that DisCos are indebted because of inefficient collection and under remittance to the market.
Governor Sule further stated: “Excluding tariff shortfall (responsibility of federal government), the DisCos’ indebtedness to the electricity market amounts to N230billion.
“This includes N48biilion of MDAs indebtedness to DisCos. DisCos indebtedness is driven by collection shortfall and low remittance,” the governor said.
The committee recommended the return to orderly evolution under market rules that make contract effective between GenCos/IPPS, TCN, Discos and gas suppliers, backed by payment and performance guarantees.
It also recommended the recapitalisation of Discos by shareholders (states/federal government, core investors), encourage GenCos to bring in capital and management expertise.
Lagos Traces 1,300 As Cases Hit 12, FG Shuts Varsities, Others [PUNCH]
The Lagos State Government on Thursday confirmed four new coronavirus cases, bringing to 12, the total number of cases in the country.
The state Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, who disclosed this at a press conference in Ikeja, also said the Italian, who was the first person in the country to be diagnosed with the disease, had tested negative.
Abayomi stated this just as more states took steps to prevent the spread of the disease. The Federal Capital Territory and states such as Ogun, Benue, Anambra, Enugu and Niger on Thursday ordered the closure of their schools.
The Italian was diagnosed with COVID-19 on February 27 in Lagos, where he was being treated, after developing symptoms of the disease at Lafarge Africa Plc, Ewekoro, Ogun State.
A few weeks later, a Nigerian, who had contact with him, tested positive for the disease, making him the second coronavirus case in the country.
The third case is a 30-year-old woman, who returned to the country from the United Kingdom on Friday last week.
The cases rose to eight on Wednesday when the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ohanaire, said a woman, her six-week-old baby and three other persons had been diagnosed with the disease. The minister had said four of the five cases were in Lagos State, while one was in Ekiti State.
Lagos tracing 1,300 contacts of infected persons
The Lagos State commissioner for health told journalists that state government was tracing 1,300 persons that might have had contact with the positive cases.
“We are following over 1,300 people right now,” the commissioner said.
Abayomi disclosed that 19 persons, who had contact with Wednesday’s cases, were tested and five of them were positive.
He stated, “Out of those 19 tests, we have four new positives. The first new positive is the contact of the third case that came from the UK. She has tested positive and will be admitted shortly. We have a new case, a female, a Nigerian, returning from France via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines TK 1830 on March 14.
“We have a third case, Nigerian male, in his 50s. He has never travelled anywhere. He was referred to us, we went to retrieve samples and it tested positive. He has since been admitted into our facility. The fourth case is a Nigerian male; he arrived on March 13 from Frankfurt via Lufthansa Flight no LH568.”
The commissioner stated that the state was running more tests on suspected cases and contacts of confirmed cases. “It is clear that we have a combination of imported cases and local transmission,” Abayomi added.
LASG may come up with social distancing policy
The commissioner added that members of the state executive council were meeting to decide on the next step which might include social distancing.
He advised Lagosians to maintain social distance to slow down the outbreak of the disease.
Abayomi stated, “The virus cannot jump a distance. It has to move either through contact, very close proximity or if you touch the surface that an infected person has also touched.
“Effectively, it means no touching; if you are unwell, stay at home, particularly if you have respiratory symptoms. Communicate with your medical professionals, or contact any of our hotlines, particularly, 08000CORONA.”
Italian who brought COVID-19 to Nigeria recovers
The commissioner disclosed that the Italian who brought coronavirus to Nigeria had tested negative for the disease.
He said the index case, who had been receiving treatment at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba would be discharged if he tested negative one more time.
“I have the good news to tell you that the index case has now cleared the virus. We will check him one more time and if he is negative, he will be discharged,” Abayomi said.
We will only attend to people with valid appointments –UCH
But the University College Hospital, Ibadan described as untrue claims that the teaching hospital was treating a coronavirus patient in its isolation bay.
Suspected Herdsmen Kill Ex-Gov Aspirant In Rivers [PUNCH]
A former governorship aspirant in Rivers State, Soala West, was on Wednesday killed by suspected herdsmen in the Aluu community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
Soala, who hailed from the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state, was said to be inspecting his poultry farm in Aluu on March 12, 2020, when he was abducted and taken away to an unknown destination.
His corpse was found on Wednesday around 6pm.
The deceased’s elder brother, Emmanuel, expressed shock over the death of the politician in the hands of the suspected herdsmen.
According to him, Soala had gone to inspect his poultry farm in Aluu when he was whisked away by the herdsmen, who brandished AK-47 rifles.
It was learnt that Soala’s captors had earlier demanded N30m as ransom from his relatives, but later reduced it to N2.5 million.
Though it could not be ascertained if the ransom was paid, Soala’s captors killed the former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party barely a week after he was taken away.
“This is shocking to us. We don’t know why they should kill our brother this way. Our entire family has been thrown into mourning. We just hope that the police will arrest all those involved in the killing of our brother,” Emmanuel said.
Several calls to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, were not answered, while a text message sent to his mobile phone for confirmation of the incident had not been replied to as of the time of filing this report.
Covid-19: Aviation INDUSTRY TO LOSE N160BN, 22,200 JOBS [PUNCH]
The disruption to air travel due to the continued spread of coronavirus will cost Nigeria’s aviation industry over N160.58bn (using Bureau de Change rate of N370 to $1) ($434m) in revenue and 22,200 jobs, the International Air Transport Association has said.
IATA said on Thursday that the country would also lose approximately 2.2 million passengers.
The association, an umbrella body for 290 airlines globally, had in early March projected 853,000 losses in passenger volumes and $170m loss in base revenues in Nigeria if the spread of COVID-19 continued.
In its country specific loss analysis, the IATA said since the end of January, thousands of passenger flights had been cancelled in Africa.
It added that the cancellations would increase exponentially with the implementation of additional measures in different countries.
IATA said, “International bookings in Africa are down roughly 20 per cent in March and April, domestic bookings have fallen by about 15 per cent in March and 25 per cent in April, according to the latest data.
“African airlines had lost $4.4bn in revenue as of March 11, 2020. Ticket refunds have increased by 75 per cent in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 (01 February – 11 March).”
The association said South Africa would also lose six million passengers, $1.2bn in base revenues and risk over 102,000 jobs.
According to IATA, other African countries expected to record huge losses are Kenya ($320m), Ethiopia ($202m) and Rwanda ($52m).
IATA said the expected job losses for Kenya would be 36,800; Ethiopia, 98, 400; and Rwanda, 3,000 while loss in passenger volume would be 1.6 million, 1.2 million and 201,000 for the three countries respectively.
Director General and Chief Executive Officer, IATA, Alexander de Junaic, appealed for governments’ support for the industry.
He said, “Stopping the spread of COVID-19 is the top priority of governments. But they must be aware that the public health emergency has now become a catastrophe for economies and for aviation.
“The scale of the current industry crisis is much worse and far more widespread than 9/11, SARS or the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.
“Airlines are fighting for survival. Many routes have been suspended in Africa and Middle East and airlines have seen demand fall by as much as 60 per cent on remaining ones.”
In a related development, Air Peace has said it is suspending its flight operations to Dakar, Senegal and Monrovia, Liberia as a result of the global coronavirus crisis.
The airline said it would also be cutting down its Freetown, Sierra Leone and Banjul, Gambia operations to one flight a week and would suspend its Dubai via Sharjah flights from next week.
The Chief Operating Officer, Air Peace, Mrs Toyin Olajide, who made this known on Thursday, said the airline would also be reducing its operations into Accra, Ghana from Lagos to two flights daily and suspend its Abuja-Accra operations.
Olajide said, “Air Peace, as a result of the adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic on passenger traffic, has today taken the hard decision to downsize its flight operations in order to cut the mounting costs occasioned by the pandemic.
“On the domestic scene, we are reducing our frequencies while at the same time, restructuring our operations by deploying our hoppers to more airports.
“Our international operations into Dubai through Sharjah International airport shall be suspended from next week as the United Arab Emirates has shut its airports to nationals from other countries including but not limited to Nigeria.”
She said the airline took the decision after emergency meeting following a decline in passenger traffic and the need to cut costs.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has suspended training and exchange programmes involving foreign trips for all its staff.
In a statement signed by the regulatory agency’s General Manager, Public Relations, Sam Adurogboye, on Thursday, the NCAA said it was part of steps to protect its workforce from the coronavirus scourge.
Adurogboye said the NCAA had issued detailed guidelines for officers of the agency who had recently travelled abroad to self-isolate for 14 days among other measures upon their return to Nigeria.
He said, “This is just as a directive for the compilation of details of all NCAA staff already on any official assignments or training to a country where there is community transmission of COVID-19.
“This is to be forwarded to the office of the director general and the general manager, aero medical standards. All pending inspections, trainings and various exchange programmes involving foreign trips are suspended forthwith.”
He said the agency had also directed that the 2020 promotion exercise for staff scheduled to hold April 4 be suspended till further notice.
The regulatory agency urged all travelling public and other stakeholders to comply with all the directives issued to curb the spread of the global pandemic.
Meanwhile, it was gathered on Thursday night that the Federal Government was considering restricting all international flights into the country to only the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
An official of one of the agencies told The PUNCH that the Federal Government would firm up the decision by Friday (today) after due consultation with stakeholders.
Buhari To Nigerians: No Need To Panic, We’re On Top Of Situation [THE NATION]
Nigerians got a soothing message from their President on Thursday.
“Stay calm and not panic”, President Muhammadu Buhari told Nigerians, assuring that his administration was managing the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The President’s message was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.
In a veiled reference to calls from certain quarters that he should make a national broadcast on the pandemic, the President cautioned Nigerians against falling into the ploy to politicise the global crisis.
The statement highlighted the measures being taken to manage the situation in Nigeria. It also noted that the Nigeria’s strategy of campaign against the pandemic had become a template for other countries to adopt.
It reads: “Nigeria, like every other country around the world, is dealing with the unexpected and unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Muhammadu Buhari administration has taken some steps to mitigate the effects on the Nigerian people.
“To prevent the spread of cases imported into Nigeria, the President has already ordered the restrictions of travel from 13 countries, each with more than 1,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
“The government has also suspended visa issuance to nationals of these countries. The restriction will take effect from March 21 and will remain until further notice. While Nigeria delights in welcoming the world, the safety and protection of our citizens and land must take priority.
“The various agencies of government, including media organisation owned by the government, have embarked on vigorous campaigns promoting hygiene measures. There are, currently, very stringent regimes of checks at the points of air and sea entry into the country. The effort Nigeria is making as is well known, has already received the commendation of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“The Presidency wishes to assure Nigerians that government is on top of the situation. There is no cause for panic. So far, the measures put in place are working efficiently. What this country is doing has been recommended as a template.
“The President trusts the relevant Ministers in his cabinet and the officials of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), who are providing him with constant updates and professional counsel. These officials have a track record of competence.
“The President instructed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to reduce the pump price of fuel. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a crash in the global price of crude oil, and the President decided that every Nigerian should benefit from this.
“Subsequently, the NNPC announced a N20 deduction, and the pump price of fuel has now been reduced from N145 per litre to N125.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday announced a credit relief of N1.1 trillion to businesses affected by the pandemic. The bank has also established a facility for household, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and announced a reduction of interest rates for loans from nine per cent to five per cent.
“We do not want to create panic. But we will continue to update the Nigerian public with relevant information. We plead with every Nigerian to cooperate with the government in the fight against Covid-19 and obey all instructions from the NCDC.
“We have a high level Presidential Coordination Committee chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). This body should be allowed to carry out its duties.”
On the plot to politicise the pandemic, the President said: “We also plead with Nigerians not to see this most peculiar of times as one to be politicised or seen as an opportunity to regurgitate grudges against the government or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). North, South, East, and West – all Nigerians must unite to fight this plague, irrespective of religious or ideological affiliation.
“In this regard, populist advocacies such as the one accusing the President of ‘complacency’ simply because he has not made a television address by ranking members of our respected parliament are cheap and sensational. These are not the times for populism and cheap politics.
“President Buhari thanks all those at the forefront of the fight against the deadly disease.”
Govt Plans 90 Per Cent Broadband Penetration [THE NATION]
The Federal Government is targeting 90 per cent broadband penetration within the next five years, according to Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami.
He spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the digital economy plan by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Pantami said: “This plan aims at providing broadband for 90 per cent of Nigerians over the next five years at download rates of 25Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural areas.
“The plan aims for a maximum price of N390 per gigabyte of data,” he explained.
He spoke at the inauguration of four projects of the ministry, including the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) Annex, at Mbora district of Abuja by the President.
Pantami said the project of digitisation was imminent at the instance of corona virus outbreak in Nigeria.
Pantami said that the projects were in line with the revised mandate of the ministry as a result of its redesignation, adding that they also aligned with the priorities of the Federal Government.
He said the implementation of the broadband would support the diversification efforts of the government.
He explained that digital economy was heavily reliant on the availability of cost effective broadband, among others.
“The unfortunate realities of the COVID-19 has made it imperative to build and depend on a sector of the economy that is more resilient to global economic shocks than the oil sector,” he said.
Executive vice chairman, NCC Prof. Umar Danbatta reiterated that with the Federal Government’s support, increasing broadband penetration would facilitate the efficiency of the Emergency Communication centre (ECC) and development of digital innovation.
Danbatta described the launch of the projects as a reflection of growth and development in the Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector.
He said that the projects commenced with the National Telecom Policy and the full liberalisation of the telecommunications industry.
According to him, the NCC had facilitated the establishment of the Emergency Communications Centres (ECC) across the Country.
“The establishment of the ECCs is in line with the Commission’s mandate under section 107 of NCA 2003, to promote and enhance public safety through the use of a particular number designed as the universal safety.
“Consequently, the NCC allocated the Toll-Free 3-digit number ‘112’ as the Universal Emergency Communications telephone number in Nigeria.
“Through this dedicated number, members of the public can conveniently access help when in distress by simply dialling 112 from any of the networks at no cost.
“This toll-free number can help distressed persons access help from the Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Fire and Ambulance Services, National Emergency Management Agency.”
DisCos need to recapitalize [THE NATION]
- NEC report slams firms
The recapitalisation of electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) and a firm implementation of industry rules are some of the measures that will turn the power sector around, a report submitted to the National Economic Council (NEC) recommended.
The Mallam Nasir El-Rufai-led ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the Ownership Structure of the Electricity Power Distribution Companies, submitted its report to the NEC yesterday.
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule; Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki; Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari; and Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu briefed reporters after the NEC meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Sule said the report noted that the DisCos had underperformed as a result of some challenges, including failure to implement cost-relative tarrifs.
According to him, the report further observed that the companies acquired debts because of inefficient bill collection. It recommended that the companies should get their acts together to return to healthy financial records.
The Nasarawa governor said: “The sector has underperformed due to critical challenges which includes non-implementation of cost relative tariffs, misalignment between the investors and BPE on required investment in Discos, underinvestment in infrastructure and poor implementation of rules/ contracts.
“The report posited that Discos are indebted because of inefficient collection and under remittance to the market.
Excluding tariff shortfall (responsibility of FGN), Discos’ indebtedness to the electricity market amounts to N230b. This includes N48b of MDAs indebtedness to Discos. Discos indebtedness is driven by collection short fall and low remittance.
“Urgent measures needed to turn the sector around include: recapitalization of Discos, firm implementation of industry rules/contracts and the insistence on sound governance principles that improve performance.
“The committee recommended that:
Return to orderly evolution under market rules that make contract effective between Gencos/IPPS, TCN, Discos and gas suppliers, backed by payment and performance guarantees”.
The governor also said the Minister of Finance, Budget And National Planning presented an update on the balances of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) as at March 17, 2020 which stood at $72, 220,756.74; Stabilization Account, N35, 806,389,699.67; and Natural Resources Development Fund Account, N109, 360,903,475.60.
Ihekweazu said the states had agreed to collaborate with the federal government to fight the COVID-19.
“I briefed governors on the risk that we face as a country and the need to pull together to respond to this. We agree that there was still a window of opportunity to respond aggressively, carry out certain measures and prevent; if we don’t succeed, at least slow down the spread of this epidemic across our country.
“We also agreed that this was a collective responsibility for all cadres of government and their Excellencies agreed to fund a series of urgently needed interventions, both short term interventions that are required for immediate response and medium to long term interventions that are needed to provide for the control of this and future outbreaks”, he said.
He listed the immediate interventions to include, the expansion of the laboratories network in Nigeria to more states and the expansion of treatment centres to at least one in each state among others.
COVID-19 Fever Grips Nigeria [SUN]
- Scare in NASS over status of 12 senators •Lagos confirms 4 new cases, begins contact tracing of 1,300 •Buhari’s daughter in isolation after UK trip •Federal, state tertiary institutions closed indefinitely •NASS complex may be shut down •NGF inaugurates committee
As the country sits on edge following confirmation of four new cases of the pandemic novel coronavirus, codenamed COVID-19, the Senate has told 12 lawmakers to proceed on self-isolation.
The senators, who are members of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), headed by Bassey Akpan, who represents Akwa Ibom North-east, returned from London, United Kingdom, last weekend after attending a three-day international training programme organised by Skills and Career Support Center (SCSC).
Following their return from London, a city battling the effects of the deadly virus, the senators, Daily Sun gathered, did not observe the statutory 14-day self-isolation.
They attended plenary on Tuesday where they shook hands with other senators and exchanged pleasantries.
Spokesman for the upper legislative chamber, Godiya Akwashiki, told newsmen that Senate President Ahmad Lawan has already instructed the 12 senators to go for a medical test and confirm their status.
While the Senate gallery will remain closed to the public till further notice, lawmakers are mulling the possibility of shutting down the National Assembly.
Daily Sun gathered that the leadership of the National Assembly might soon summon an emergency meeting to take a decision on the issue.
Lagos confirms 4 new cases, begins contact tracing of 1,300 people
Lagos State government, yesterday, confirmed four new cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of positive cases in the state to 11.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who made this known during the COVID-19 update, said the state has commenced contact tracing of 1,300 people.
Abayomi said 19 people were tested for COVID-19 on Wednesday, with four out of them testing positive to the virus, adding that they had been isolated for treatment at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Yaba.
He said one of the four new cases was a woman who had contact with the Nigerian woman who returned from the UK currently receiving treatment for testing positive.
“The second new case is a female who returned from France on March 14 on a Turkish Airline TK 1830,” the commissioner said.
He said that the third case was a Nigerian male in his 50s who had not travelled anywhere, but tested positive to the virus.
Abayomi said the fourth new case was a Nigerian male who arrived in Lagos from Frankfurt on Lufthansa Airline flight number LH568 on March 13.
He said more tests were ongoing with some suspected cases, while appealing to passengers on the two flights to self-isolate themselves and contact government.
Buhari’s daughter in self-isolation after returning from UK
One of the daughters of President Muhammadu Buhari just back from the UK is in self-isolation.
The First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, made this disclosure through her Twitter handle @aishambuhari: “Good afternoon Nigerians. Earlier today my daughter returned from the UK, being among the high burden listed countries of COVID-19.
“Based on the advice of the Hon. Minister Of Health, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and that of NCDC, she is on self-isolation, not because she displayed any symptoms of the Covid-19.
“Please, I urge all parents to do the same if possible as prevention is better than cure.”
Mrs. Buhari also announced that she has shut down her office for two weeks while those on essential duties would be working from home.
Federal tertiary institutions, unity colleges to close down
The Federal Government has directed heads of federal higher institutions and principals of unity colleges nationwide to close down.
Permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, told Daily Sun that the decision was to protect and safeguard students/pupils.
‘’We have directed all higher institutions to close this weekend. Unity Schools that have completed exams are to close immediately. Others are to hurry and close the latest by 26th March.’’
Already, some state governments and the management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have closed down schools and the scheme.
Special adviser on education to the Lagos State governor, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the state was assessing the situation and a decision would be taken soon, whether to shut down the Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Epe, and other state-owned institutions.
NSCIA asks Muslims to avoid social gatherings
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has also directed its members and other Muslim faithful to strictly comply with the directive of the Federal Government regarding large social and religious gatherings.
NSCIA deputy secretary general, Prof. Salisu Shehu, who briefed journalists in Abuja yesterday, urged mosques and Islamic centres to strongly discourage members from attending any activities, in the event of confirmed emergence of the infection in several figures, even if they are only experiencing mild symptoms.
There are indications that several big mosques in Abuja may hold a low-key juma’at prayer, as against the usual gathering of large numbers of Muslim faithful.
In apparent compliance, the Ansar ud Deen Society of Nigeria has suspending religious activities in its mosques across Nigeria due to the pandemic.
The society, particularly popular among Muslims in south-west Nigeria, and with scores of mosques across Nigeria, announced this in a statement by its spokesperson, Muhammed Hassan.
Similarly, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has directed all its parishes in Lagos and Ogun not to have more than 50 persons in one service.
In a memo by Folorunsho Odesola, RCCG assistant general overseer of administration and personnel, the church said parishes that had an average attendance of 50 members or less could hold their service without making any changes while those with over 50 members “should run simultaneous services with the main church through their house fellowship centres.”
El-Rufai heads NGF solution-finding committee
The 36 states of the federation, on the platform of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, have set up a six-man sub-committee, headed by the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to tackle the effects of COVID-19. Other members are Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu, Gov. David Umahi (Ebonyi), Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, Edo State Godwin Obaseki and Gov. Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State.
Chairman of the NGF, Gov. Kayode Fayemi, disclosed this at the end of their meeting, saying they were to review the trend of the COVID-19 pandemic and falling oil price and advise states on actions required to address challenges in the economy.
NLC to FG: Strengthen emergency response mechanism
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to strengthen emergency response mechanism towards curtailing the spread of COVID-19.
NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, who made the call during an emergency world news conference in Abuja yesterday, said the the emergency response mechanism was imperative as the actions of government would be critical in containing COVID-19.
“States should set up disease surveillance activities. Persons arriving Nigeria from countries with up to 1,000 COVID-19 cases should be quarantined in suitable healthcare facilities.
“The self-quarantine advice is counter-productive, given the socio-economic realities in Nigeria.
“Contact tracing of positive cases should be stepped up. Health givers should be resourced with personal protective equipment (PPE), face masks, gloves and hand sanitisers,” he said.
Shutdown of schools, daily activities unwarranted – NCDC
However, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said in its latest COVID-19 advisory guidelines that the situation in Nigeria did not warrant a total shutdown of daily activities, including schools.
It, however, urged Nigerians to access and disseminate already published guidelines for safe gatherings to ensure preventive measures during such convergence.
The NCDC said, “If there is sustained community transmission in Nigeria, various additional measures may be instituted. But for now, schools are advised to circulate NCDC’s public health advisory and related materials on COVID-19 to staff, students and parents.
“Corporations are also advised to circulate NCDC’s public health advisory and related materials on COVID-19 to all employees, clients and visitors, and also provide facilities for regular hand-washing.”
Jigawa may shut down mosques, public schools
There is every indication that Jigawa State government may consider shutting down mosques and public schools, following the gradual spread of coronavirus in the country.
The governor, who stated this yesterday in a BBC Hausa service interview, said the meeting with other state governors in Kaduna was considering a broader discussion with the Sultan of Sokoto on better avenues to approach the possible control on public prayers.
According to the governor the state government was also considering the closure of public schools to mitigate against the spread of the pandemic.
Also, the permanent secretary of the ministry of health Dr. Salisu Mu’azu assured residents of the state government’s readiness to combat the coronavirus through the establishment of an isolation/management centre. He further disclosed that the state had trained medical personnel, even though there was no confirmed case of the pandemic in the state, and it had provided critical equipment and preventive measures, in line with the NCDC advise.
“We will soon introduce hand sanitisers before getting access to all government offices to avoid the spread of COVID-19,” he said, adding that Jigawa students studying in the Republic of China would not be evacuated due to the pandemic, as no students was infected.
His words:- “We have made telephone calls with some of our students studying there and they told us that they are safe and none of them is affected, the students are barred from going to classes for lectures, but they received their lessons online, they are safe and stayed indoors”, he stated .
The Ebola center already in place in the state according to the commissioner will officially be converted to management/diagnostic center for the control of the spread of Coronavirus.
Unilorin screens 4 returning International students
The University of Ilorin says it has screened four returning international students to prevent spread of Coronavirus in the institution.
Dr Idayat Adurotoye, chairperson of Unilorin Coronavirus Prevention Committee, said three of the students were Ghanaians while one was a Chadian.
She said this was part of the university proactive measures to ensure the international students were free of the virus.
She, however, explained that the results were yet to be released.
N125 Fuel Price: Low Compliance Trails FG’S Directive Across States [SUN]
- Marketers plead for more time
Nigerian motorists were yesterday startled upon discovering that majority of fuel stations across the country failed to comply with the directive of the Federal Government reducing retail pump price of petrol from N145 per litre to N125. President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday approved a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit(PMS), otherwise called petrol in the wake of falling crude oil prices.
The Federal Government also directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to reduce the Ex- Coastal and Ex-Depot prices of fuel to reflect current market realities.
Announcing the approval for price modulation on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, in a statement, also revealed that PPPRA would be doing a monthly guide to NNPC and marketers on pricing, in line with prevailing oil market price.
But twenty four hours after the directive was given most marketers across the country were yet to reflect the new pump price.
While a few stations in Lagos complied with the directive, others continued to sell at the old retail pump price of N145 per litre, on the pretext that the engineers to adjust the metres were being awaited.
Some managers of the independent retail outlets who spoke to Daily Sun in Lagos, said the directive was too sudden as they had yet to dispense with the old stock of N145 and could not sell at N125 as such would amount to huge losses on their part.
Ironically, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) retail outlet on Iju which ought to have taken the lead by selling at the new rate as directed by government failed to comply.
But another NNPC outlet on College Road, sold at the new approved rate of N125.
At other major marketers outlets including Mobil, Conoil, Forte, MRS and Total, compliance level was low as some sold at the new rate, while others didn’t.
At Enyo fuel station at Fagba bus stop on Iju road, Lagos, consumers bought N145 per litre as at yesterday afternoon.
From the South-East zone, majority of fuel marketers in Nnewi, Abakaliki and Onitsha failed to comply with the new directive. At Nnewi, Anambra State, fuel marketers refused to adjust their pump to reflect the price cut as they described the decision by the Federal Government as arbitrary.
An independent marketer in the State operating a chain of filling stations across Nnewi and environs, Chief Kenneth Maduakor, said the Federal Government ought to have given marketers advance notice.
Maduakor who is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KM Oil and Gas Limited, was visibly angry as he queried the rationale behind the Federal Government’s decision to crash fuel pump price without putting into consideration what would be the plight of the dealers who had just replenished their stock a day or two before the pronouncement.
Dealers in Ebonyi continued to sell fuel at price N145/ liter defying government’s new pricei
Filling stations in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state and its environs were yet to adhere to the new pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as approved by the Federal Government.
However, a visit to some of the filling stations located in Abakaliki on Thursday showed that fuel stations in the state were still selling at the old price of 145 naira per liter.
Our correspondent visited Mobil filling Station, Ogoja Road, Jessco Filling Station Afikpo Road, Harris Filling Station Enugu-Abakaliki express road and Total Filing station Ogoja Road among others only to discover they were all selling at N145 per liter.
A fuel dealer in the state who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that they could not sell at the new price since they bought a higher depot price.
He said selling at the new price will affect them since the product they have were purchased at the rate of 145 naira per liter
He said, “we can not sell at 125 naira per liter now because what we have is old stock. We did not buy at that amount. There will be great loss for us if we sell what we bought at N145 for N125. We are not saying that we are not going to sell at N125, but that would be after selling our current stock. A tricycle operator who spoke to Daily Sun however applauded the Federal Government for the reduction of fuel price, adding that it will reduce the cost of goods and services.
The operator who gave his name as Uguru, however said government should not stop at approving the reduction alone, but should also enforce the new price.
He said: ‘’I like the reduction. But it does not end there. As you can see no filling station is selling at N125 now. And they will not do so until they are forced. So government has to force them to sell at the new priceof N125, if not, it will just be on paper and on radio without people enjoying it’’
In Awka, the Anambra State capital, many filling stations were yet to adjust to the new price regime announced by the Federal Government.
At Femas Filling Station on the popular Aroma Junction, fuel was being sold at the old price of N145.
One of the attendants, when asked why the station has not adjusted to the new price, simply said that she had no idea of any price change.
“We are still selling at N145” she told Daily Sun even as she moved on to attend to a buyer.
At NIPCO Filling Station in the same Aroma Junction along Ifite Road, fuel was still sold at N145 as at the time of filing this report.
A female pump attendant who spoke to Daily Sun simply said that the station still uses old pump price.
When Daily Sun visited Sinai Oil and Gas at the popular UNIZIK Junction along Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, the story was the same. A staff of the station retorted when this reporter asked why the station still sold petrol at N145.
“Do you think that change of price is possible in Anambra State? The same government that changed price will still come here and collect bribe. “They will still come here to look for something that will be given to them. There is corruption in this country”, she regretted.
The pump attendant utterances suggested that the management of the station would be willing to abide by the Federal Government’s directive but would be deterred by certain factors.
COVID-19: Katsina Suspected Case Tests Negative [SUN]
- Borno has set up a 100-bed capacity isolation centre • Kebbi begins screening of travellers through airport, land borders
The Katsina State government has disclosed that tests from samples of the suspected case of COVID-19 in the area were returned negative.
The health authorities on Wednesday, reported a suspected case of COVID-19 infestation involving a man who returned to Nigeria from Malaysia.
Giving an update at a press briefing on Thursday, the Commissions for Health, Yakubu Nuhu Danja, said: “on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health briefed you on a suspected case of COVID-19 and that we were awaiting the result of the tests being carried out.
“”I am pleased to inform you that the result is out and it is negative.
“May I use this opportunity to call on all the good people of Katsina State to remain calm and be informed about updates on information on COVID-19.
“They should avoid spreading unverified information especially through the social media, maintain high levels of personal and environmental hygiene such as frequent hand-washing using alcohol-based sanitiser, practise cough etiquette and avoid social gatherings except where necessary.
“The government will continue to do everything possible to safeguard the health of citizens through the provision of effective health-care delivery.”
Meanwhile, Borno State government has set up a 100 – bed capacity isolation centre as part of measures to prevent spread of Coronavirus in the state.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salihu Kwaya-Bura, said the isolation centre located at Brigadier Abba Kyari Memorial Hospital in Maiduguri was used in fighting Ebola virus in the state.
“The isolation centre is a 100 – bed capacity with the capacity to be increased to 120 should the need arises.
“Other facilities were also mapped out to be brought online should there be the need to escalate the response which we are not praying for.”
He said that screening of passengers had commenced at the Maiduguri International Airport, while port health officials had increased surveillance at international borders in the state.
In a related development, Kebbi has instituted screening of all travellers coming into the state through the airport and land borders.
Commissioner of Health, Alhaji Ja’afar Muhammad, disclosed this at a news conference in Birnin Kebbi, on the state’s emergency preparedness and response to Coronavirus outbreak.
“The state emergency preparedness and response committee has taken necessary measures necessary to prevent the importation of coronavirus into the state,”.Muhammad said the state was being proactive by putting these measures in place in view of the rising number of confirmed cases in the country.
“This has placed all states on alert for timely response to the outbreak in accordance with necessary guidelines and protocols.”