FG Declares Closure Of States’ Borders Illegal – [LEADERSHIP]
The federal government has said that the lockdown of some states and the closure of their borders by their respective governors is illegal.
In reaction to reports of Nigerians being trapped in the border communities of some states because of the closure of the borders by the governor, the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said that the lockdown announced by President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday to stop the escalation of the coronavirus pandemic only affected the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun States.
His pronouncement came in Abuja yesterday as the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, disclosed that the state government had obtained permission from the presidency to begin the lockdown of the state on Friday instead of 11 pm of Tuesday as ordered by President Buhari.
At a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, Mustapha, who is the chairman of the Presidential Task Force for the Control of the Coronavirus-19 Disease (COVID-19), said that the lockdown by Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Ekiti, and Osun States that has left travellers in agony was illegal.
Mustapha explained that President Buhari’s broadcast was very definitive and categorical, stressing that only Lagos, Ogun and the FCT are to be locked down.
He said: “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.
“I referred you to paragraph 29 of the president’s broadcast. We are mindful of the fact that there are those inconsistencies in policies. Such states began to implement their lockdown before the president’s broadcast.
The president’s broadcast was very definitive and categorical, we are only locking down Lagos, Ogun and the federal capital. Those are the only three designated areas for the lockdown now.
“I will make some calls to some security agencies in those borders. I expected that after Mr. President’s broadcast what should ordinarily happen is that, if you had stopped people from getting to their destinations that broadcast should have enabled you release those people to get to their destinations.
“You can put proactive measures like a toll gate to ensure that you test them and allow them get to their destinations. That was what we did at the airports before we finally locked down the airports.
“This lockdown like the president said in paragraph 29 of the national broadcast will be systematic, consistent and will be based on best practices,” he said.
The SGF said that all the donations from international organisations, corporate Nigeria and individuals were still promissory notes.
He assured the citizens that the donations would be used to purchase more testing materials and that the committee would give more details on how people can make more donations.
Mustapha said: “Well, there have been announcements from different quarters. I will start from our donor partners, nothing has come in yet. But we have received commitment from the the European Union (EU), United Nations Group, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, and the Corporate Nigeria, we have received pledges from different organisations and individuals.
“The coalition of the private sector, ably led by the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, about two days go, announced a commitment to deploy resources to the tune of about N120 billion in aid, to ensure that collectively as a people with the cooperation and support of government that we deal with this pandemic.
“I believe they are going to own up to their words; we have been talking with them, even this afternoon I spoke with Alhaji Aliko Dangote and I have been speaking with the governor of the central bank. They have asked for a list of things that we need to build capacity and ensure that we have sufficient consumables, testing materials, ventilators and the rest. And this list has been sent to them.
“They have constituted four committees; one is the steering committee which they have graciously asked me to chair, funding committee, technical committee and operational committee. So they are very organised; they intend to raise their resources, they intend to commit them to the fight of coronavirus.
“I believe the generosity of Nigerians will come into play here; we are totally a generous people and I believe not only this group, so many other Nigerians will join this fight.
“By tomorrow we will give details as to the platforms in which these donations will be paid into. We have received authorisation and we have directed the accountant-general of the federation to open an account in the central bank.”
“The terms of reference as well as members of the committee will be announced soon,” he said, adding that “we do not desire to slow down the economy in anyway.”
…Approves Skeletal Services For Banks
Meanwhile, President Buhari has granted leave to Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to operate undisrupted during the period of controlled curfew in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States.
The information is contained in a joint statement issued by the minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Zainab Ahmed and the governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele.
The duo said that they obtained presidential approval to permit critical financial services to function during the 14-day lockdown.
Buhari had issued a directive, restricting the movement of people – excluding those on essential service – with effect from 11pm on Monday, March 30, 2020, in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States, as a response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Consequently, the statement disclosed that relevant security agencies had been requested to grant passage to critical staff of these institutions to enable essential and strategic financial transactions to go undisrupted during the period of the lockdown.
These institutions include the CBN, Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc and switching companies.
Others are mobile money operators and payment solution service providers.
The CBN urged Nigerians to limit their use of cash and avail themselves of the use of alternative payment channels such as mobile banking, Internet banking, mobile money, Point of Sale (POS), and USSD.
“The public is therefore assured that financial institutions will remain operational during this period and therefore should guard against panic withdrawals from their banks.
“We also urge all Nigerians to adhere strictly to the movement restrictions and follow stipulated guidelines by the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other relevant health agencies of government to curb possible spread of the virus in Nigeria,” Emefiele said.
New Cases Now 131, Second Death Recorded As Lagos Discharges 5 More Patients
In another development, the NCDC has said that 20 new cases of COVID19 have occurred, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 131.
NCDC said that 13 of the cases were reported in Lagos, four in the FCT, two in Kaduna and one in Oyo State.
Earlier at the joint press conference, the minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, disclosed a fatality case which, he said took place at the weekend. He said that the patient had severe underlined illnesses.
Ehanire said: “As of today, the 30th of March, 2020, we have recorded 111 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria of which 68 are in Lagos, 21 in FCT, seven in Oyo, three in Ogun, two in Bauchi, two in Edo, two in Osun, two in Enugu and one each in Benue, Ekiti, Kaduna and Rivers States.
“Majority of those infected with the virus are persons who came from overseas and others have been traced as close contacts of such returnees.
“The high number of cases in Lagos and Abuja is due to their function as the country’s gateways for air travel.
“Till date, three persons have been discharged after successful treatment but sadly another fatality was recorded over the weekend of a patient who had severe underline illnesses.
“We have intensified contact tracing and our strategy remains to promptly detect cases, isolate them and follow up with their contacts and also isolate and treat in other to reduce the spread of the infection,” he said.
The minister said that more testing centres were underway, adding that “with new additions to the case definition, persons with fever and either cough, difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath in an area of medium or high prevalence of COVID-19, can test for the disease.
“To meet the demand that will arise as a result of this expansion of the case definition, the NCDC has added a new laboratory to its network of molecular laboratories for COVID-19. This is the Virology Laboratory of University College Hospital, Oyo State. We project that in three weeks, seven more labs in Abakiliki, Kaduna, Kano, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt and Sokoto will be added to this network to further expand testing capacity nationwide,” Ehanire said.
It was cheering news yesterday when the Lagos State government announced the discharge another five coronavirus patients from the Infectious Disease Centre, Yaba Mainland Hospital, bringing the number of patients so far discharged from the centre to eight.
LEADERSHIP observed that the patients who had been receiving treatment at the healthcare facility looked stable and unruffled.
The discharged patients, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of stigmatization, expressed joy over the medical treatment they received in the hospital.
They also lauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support and pro-activeness, and appealed to the federal and state governments to ensure that the workers at the centre were given life insurance to further motivate them.
Fielding question from journalists, one of the patients said: ‘’I came in here on the 15th of March and after the test showed positive, I was asked to come back the next day. So I was admitted here.
„Initially, there were hitches but it later turned out fine. The health workers did well; all our challenges were attended to. I‘m a living witness together with my other colleagues,“ he said.
He said that the fact that he survived the pandemic showed that it can be defeated and urged Nigerians not panic when infected by the virus.
He said: „We can beat it, i want to assure others that this is not their resting place. Encourage yourselves, take your medications and in no distant time, you will get out of here.
„I want to appeal to the federal government and the Lagos State government that, they should remunerate all those workers who have volunteered to work accordingly so as to serve as encouragement to others,” adding that, „if they are not here as first responders, many would have died.“
Another patient said: „I was admitted because I tested positive to coronavirus. Initially there were challenges, the following day they brought beds, masks and some equipment.”
He pointed out that the workers could not attend to him because he tested positive, saying that „they could not bring my food or anything to me. I started going back and forth before I knew it I slept off and I woke up around 3 am.“
PMB Commends Adenuga, Alakija, Offor, Churches Over Donation
In another development, President Buhari has expressed deep appreciation to captains of industries, banks, missionaries, musical artistes and individuals for supporting the federal government’s efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
The president, in a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday by his media aide, Garba Shehu, specially thanked a group of oil companies, which partnered with the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) to donate $30 million to the government’s relief funds.
He also appreciated the contributions of All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr Mike Adenuga, Modupeola and Folorunsho Alakija of Famfa Oil, and Dr Emeka Offor, who joined a list of other public-spirited Nigerians in contributing money, health and educational materials to the government.
The president welcomed generous donations as announced by Zenith Bank PLC, which was committed to the public health care system, Keystone bank, First Bank Plc and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, and his wife, Dr Becky Enenche, who also took to the streets to sensitize citizens on the dreaded virus.
Buhari appreciated the efforts of Stallion Empowerment Initiative of the Stallion Group, and the entertainment industry, particularly renowned musician, Innocent Idibia, Tuface, for contributions.
Senators donate 50% salaries
As their contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 scourge, Senators have donated 50 per cent of their salaries to the federal government.
The Senate acting spokesman, Senator Godiya Akwashiki, announced the decision of the lawmakers in a statement he released yesterday.
Akwashiki said: „After due consultations following a keen review of the national efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, the Senate wishes to announce that from March 2020, distinguished senators will be donating 50 per cent of their salaries to these efforts to stop the spread of the disease, otherwise known as COVID-19, in our country.
“This monthly contribution from the Upper Legislative Chamber will be sustained until Nigeria is declared safe from the ravages of this deadly disease.
„The Senate commends the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari and the administration towards the goal of securing our nation against this plague. The Senate is willing and ready to do whatever is required of the legislature for the effectiveness of all the measures in place now or that may be required in the future to win the fight against this menace,” he said.
PDP Senators Endorse PMB’s Address
Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) minority caucus in the Senate has commended President Buhari over the measures he announced in his national broadcast to combat COVID-19.
In a statement released in Abuja by the Senate minority leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the caucus said though they had expected the presidency to engage the National Assembly more in some of the policy areas that are statutory, but yet have to recognise the fact that these are unusual times that may require quick policy responses.
He said: „These are perilous times in the world and indeed an unusual situation for our dear country, so the PDP caucus described as a step in the right direction the President‘s broadcast and policy measures, which we believe while being short on prioritizing the poor and vulnerable in our society, nevertheless if properly implemented will keep our people safe from this deadly virus.“
Malami, Soyinka Differ On Lockdown Of Lagos, Ogun
Meanwhile, the attorney-general of the federation and justice minister, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, have differed on President Buhari’s lockdown of Lahos and Ogun States.
In his reaction to the president’s action yesterday, Soyinka described it as illegal and unconstitutional.
Soyinka, in a statement tagged: “Between COVID and Constitutional Encroachment”, said argued that the president does not have the power to unilaterally lockdown a state, as there was no war or an emergency.
He said: ‘’Constitutional lawyers and our elected representatives should kindly step into this and educate us, mere lay minds. The worst development I can conceive is to have a situation where rational measures for the containment of the coronavirus pandemic are rejected on account of their questionable genesis.
‘’This is a time for unity of purpose, not nitpicking dissensions. So, before this becomes a habit, a question: does President Buhari have the powers to close down state borders? We want clear answers. We are not in a war emergency,” he said.
But, Malami who berated human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), for describing as illegal the order of the president, said that Buhari did not commit any illegality.
He said: “It is important to inform the discerning members of the public that the president did not make a declaration of a state of emergency under Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which would have required the concurrence of both Houses of the National Assembly.
“Even at that Section 305(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) permits a proclamation of a state of emergency to run for a period of 10 days without the approval of the National Assembly when the parliament is not in session as in the present situation wherein the National Assembly has shut down.
“The learned silk also goofed when he questioned the president’s powers to restrict movement and claiming that such powers can only be exercised by the state governors and the respective state assemblies,” Malami said.
Oyo Gov, Makinde, Announces Testing Positive For Covid-19 [LEADERSHIP]
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, yesterday confirmed testing positive for coronavirus.
The governor who revealed this status via his personal twitter handle, @seyiamakinde, said that he remains asymptomatic and would remain in isolation.
The test result which was delivered to the governor at about 5.30pm indicated that he had tested positive to coronavirus.
However, chief press secretary to the governor, Taiwo Adisa, in a statement, said Makinde had appointed Prof Temitope Alonge, a former chief medical director (CMD) of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, as the head of COVID-19 Task Force, while he recovers.
It would be recalled that Makinde was one of the governors who attended the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, penultimate week, where he met with a number of colleagues.
The Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) had after the meeting advised its members who attended the Abuja meeting to go on self-isolation or undergo COVID-19 tests.
The news of Makinde’s positive test came on the heels of the release of the state’s index case from the COVID-19 isolation centre.
The index case was released after two consecutive negative tests, the statement read.
The statement also quoted the state’s incident manager, Dr. Taiwo Ladipo as saying that the confirmed case spent six days in the isolation centre and had two negative tests.
Meanwhile, Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari and his deputy, Mannir Yakubu, tested negative to Covid-19.
The deputy governor made the disclosure at a press briefing in the government House yesterday, shortly after the results of the tests were released.
He further announced the setting up a committee known as “Katsina State Covid-19 Response and Emergency Committee” which he chairs.
Other members of the committee are Alhaji Dahiru Bara’u Mangal as deputy chairman, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Tasi’u Maigari Musa Zango, the attorney-general and commissioner of Justice Alhaji Ahmed Usman El-Marzuq, commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Kasimu Abdul Mutallab, commissioner of Health, Engineer Nuhu Yakubu Danja and the chief of staff to the governor, Alhaji Muntari Lawal.
He explained that the main purpose of the committee is to assist the state’s Ministry of Health to respond quickly to the pendemic whenever a discovering is made.
He added that the committee had already swung into action and had been receiving donations from public spirited individuals both within and outside the state.
The deputy governor disclosed that Alhaji Dahiru Bara’u Mangal donated N100million Naira; United Bank of Africa (UBA), donated N28.5 million. He said an anynomous donor presented N10 million. While Alhaji Mannir Abukur donated N10 million, Alhaji Salisu gave N5 million, Yakubu said.
Despite NNPC’s Assurance, Fuel Queues Surface [LEADERSHIP]
Barely 24 hours after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) assured Nigerians that there was enough petrol to last the country for 60 days, fuel queues yesterday surfaced in Abuja, Lagos and some states of the federation.
Except for a few major ones, independent oil marketers in the country shut down their filling stations and hoarded the product.
In the FCT, fuel stations along the Kubwa – Zuba axis were locked and refused to dispense products.
The development compelled the national president of the Independent Petroleum Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, to direct his members nationwide to open their filling stations for service.
In a statement he issued yesterday, National Operations Controller of IPMAN, Mr Mike Osatuyi, reminded marketers that restriction on CONID-19 did not apply to food processing, distribution, retail companies and petroleum distribution and retailing petroleum stations nationwide
Osatuyi recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari in his broadcast to the nation on Sunday empahsised that petroleum distribution and retailing were not included.
He said, ”All members of the association should work with other stakeholders in the downstream sector in ensuring seamless operation in loading in both private depots and NNPC depots nationwide. The Federal Government has assured security for our staff and members who are serving the country at this trying moment”.
Osatuyi enjoined all IPMAN staff and members to wear their identification card or their filling station company identification card in for proper screening on the road and highway.
“The National Executive Committee of IPMAN commended members nationwide and advise them to sell petrol at N125 approved price. IPMAN also stands with all Nigerians and the Federal Government in this trying period”, he stated.
Osatuyi commended the management of NNPC under the leadership of Mallam Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director for assuring marketers of sufficient and prompt petroleum distribution
The NNPC GMD, Kyari, had on Sunday urged Nigerians not to engage in panic buying of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), as the country had adequate stock of the products to last for over 60-days.
Kyari assured that the NNPC had the support of all stakeholders to ensure adequate supply of petroleum products in the country.
He said, “There is absolutely no scarcity anywhere; our supply is robust, we have fuel that will last this country even for 60-days if assuming we do not import any.
But following President Buhari’s broadcast in which he announced shutdown of FCT, Lagos and Ogun States, residents of Abuja resorted to panic buying of food stuff and other essential household items to last them for the 14 days.
Some of the residents lined up in the banks, especially at the ATM points to withdraw cash, while some motorists queued at the filling stations to buy fuel.
At Utako market, it was like carnival as many residents swamped the markets to purchase what they would need for the lockdown period.
Even though some of the shops were closed, our reporter who visited the some of the observed that sellers of food items had a field day as they kept entertaining many customers.
One of the residents, Mariam Yusuf, told LEADERSHIP that she had to buy foodstuff yesterday since the government had already said all businesses and movements would be restricted as from 11:00pm.
“I have to come out to buy the food stuff I need in the family because of President Muhammadu Buhari’s announcement that from tomorrow, all movements and business activities would be restricted. So, I have to buy the much food stuff I need so as to be on the safer side.”
At the premises of Zenith Bank in EFAB Plaza in Area 11, there was crowd in the banking hall, with customers lining in a long queue to do their banking transactions.
A customer, who gave his name as Emma Onoja, told LEADERSHIP that he had no choice than to cue up because might not have the same opportunity to engage in the banking business today because of the planned lockdown, which involves restriction of movements and close of businesses.
Onoja said that even though the government had said that banks would be open for business, he was in doubt that it would be possible following the restriction of movements.
“I have to conduct this banking transaction today because by tomorrow there won’t be any movement and for most people it is not going to be easy for them. Banks may be open, but how do you access it when movements are not allowed”, he said.
At the Oando filling station in Jabi district, there was also a long queue as motorists lined up to buy fuel.
It was gathered that many filling stations in town were not selling fuel, as they remained under lock and key.
At the Oando Filling Station only two points were open to motorists to buy fuel.
One of the motorists, Tunde Bolaji told our reporter that the filling station was the third he had visited in search fuel to buy.
“My brother, I don’t know what is happening in this country. Can you imagine that this is the third filling station I have visited today to buy fuel without success? I don’t know if government is going to stop the supply of fuel, which must have caused this scarcity.”
In Lagos, residents also rushed to the markets and shops to purchase essential commodities.
The last minute shopping was compounded by vehicular traffic and congestion on the ever busy Lagos roads.
At some markets and supermarkets in Lagos on Monday, many residents struggled to stock up their homes with essentials to last the two-week period they are expected to stay at home with their families.
Traders selling food stuff, vegetables and fruits in Mile 23, Ketu Sura on the Island and Ipodo market in Ikeja considered the busiest in the state enjoyed huge patronage.
The buyers and sellers in the market, e majority seen using face masks and hand gloves, lamented the hardship the outbreak of coronavirus has unleashed on them.
One of the market women who gave her name simply as Mrs Abayomi told LEADERSHIP that although the lockdown of Lagos was necessary because of the increasing number of people infected by the deadly disease, “the people will suffer from the decision.
“I came here with the little money I have to buy foodstuff that my family will eat. Government is telling us to go and stay inside our house with no work and no money. How will the people cope? Prices of foodstuff have gone up. To me, the way the government is handling the situation will likely expose the people to untold hardship. They must also have to check activities of criminals this period.
“A bag of rice is now N31,000 from N27,000. A measure of rice, which used to be N300, now cost about N650. A measure of garri which used to go for N150 is now N250 price, while a bag now goes for N9,000, against the usual N5,000”, she lamented.
Abuja, Lagos, Ogun Lockdown: Soyinka, SAN, AGF fight Over Legality Of Buhari’s Directive [PUNCH]
- President’s stay-at-home order illegal, not enforceable –Falana
- Makinde tests positive, self-isolates, coronavirus cases rise to 131
- Buhari signs COVID-19 regulation to enforce 14-day lockdown
Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and a human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, on Monday faulted the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari’s (retd.) lockdown order in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states.
But the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in a statement in Abuja, said Buhari did not commit any illegality.
Buhari, had in a broadcast on Sunday ordered complete lockdown of the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states as part of measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, which rose to 111 on Sunday.
But Soyinka, in a statement on Monday titled, ‘Between COVID-19 and constitutional encroachment’ signed from his Autonomous Residence of Ijegba, Ogun State, where he’s on ‘self-quarantine’, said the country was not in a war emergency.
He said, “Constitutional lawyers and our elected representatives should kindly step into this and educate us, mere lay minds. The worst development I can conceive is to have a situation where rational measures for the containment of the corona pandemic are rejected on account of their questionable genesis. This is a time for unity of purpose, not nitpicking dissensions.
“So, before this becomes a habit, a question: ‘does President Buhari have the powers to close down state borders?’ We want clear answers. We are not in a war emergency. Appropriately focused on measures for the saving lives and committed to making sacrifices for the preservation of our communities, we should nonetheless remain alert to any encroachment on constitutionally demarcated powers. We need to exercise collective vigilance, and not compromise the future by submitting to interventions that are not backed by law and constitution.”
Buhari just woke up from siesta, says Soyinka
The Nobel laureate wondered how a President, who had clearly been on AWOL (absent from where one should be), suddenly woke up after a long siesta to start issuing orders.
The elder statesman asked, “Who actually instigates these orders anyway? From where do they really emerge? What happens when the orders conflict with state measures, the product of a systematic containment strategy — including even trial-and-error and hiccups — undertaken without let or leave of the centre.”
According to the essayist, so far, the anti-COVID-19 measures have proceeded along the rails of decentralised thinking, multilateral collaboration and technical exchanges between states.
He added, “The centre is obviously part of the entire process, and one expects this to be the norm, even without the epidemic’s frontal assault on the Presidency itself. Indeed, the centre is expected to drive the overall effort, but in collaboration, with extraordinary budgeting and refurbishing of facilities.
“The universal imperative and urgency of this affliction should not become an opportunistic launch pad for a sneak re-centralisation, no matter how seemingly insignificant its appearance.”
Malami defends Buhari
But Malami berated the President’s critics, particularly a human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.
Adegboruwa had said the President had no right to make such a proclamation without recourse to the National Assembly.
The AGF, in a statement on Monday, said the President did not commit any illegality.
He said, “It is important to inform the discerning members of the public that the President did not make a declaration of a state of emergency under Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which would have required the concurrence of both House of the National Assembly.
“Even at that Section 305(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) permits a proclamation of a state of emergency to run for a period of 10 days without the approval of the National Assembly when the parliament is not in session as in the present situation wherein the National Assembly has shut down.
“The learned silk also goofed when he questioned the President’s powers to restrict movement and claiming that such powers can only be exercised by the state governors and the respective state assemblies.
“It is clear from the President’s broadcast that what His Excellency sought to address is a public emergency occasioned by a dangerous and infectious coronavirus disease. The restriction of movement came on the heels of advice received by the President from the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, the two focal agencies in the fight against COVID-19.”
Malami, who is also the Minister of Justice, said the correct position remains that the President acted rightfully under the powers conferred on him by the Quarantine Act 1990 CAP 384 LFN which has the title: “An Act to provide for and regulate the imposition of quarantine and to make other provisions for preventing the introduction into and spread in Nigeria, and the transmission from Nigeria, of dangerous infectious diseases”.
The minister said it is not in doubt that COVID-19 is an infectious disease of a contagious nature which the President as rightly declared under Section 2 of the Quarantine Act to be a dangerous infectious disease.
He stated, “Section 3 of the Act enables the President to declare any part of Nigeria as an infected area. Section 4 of the Act further empowers the President to make regulations to prevent the introduction, spread and transmission of any dangerous infectious disease.
“Section 6 of the Act requires the President and State Governors to provide sanitary stations, buildings and equipment. Thus, in recognition of the critical roles being played by the state Governors in these trying times, the Federal Government has been working with the states in line with the dictates of Section 6 of the Act.”
Presidential order not enforceable, lacks legal backing -Falana
On his part, Falana said the no-movement order in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states was not enforceable.
The human rights activist said the order had no legal backing and therefore unconstitutional.
He argued that the President lacked the powers to restrict movements in any part of the country without the consent of the National Assembly.
Falana said, “No doubt, the President is empowered to adopt any measures deemed fit to combat the dangerous disease but such measures have to be spelt out in a regulation made pursuant to section 305 of the Constitution or under the Quarantine Act.
“Otherwise the presidential order on restriction of movement in the affected areas cannot be enforced by the police.
“Even though civil rule was restored in the country 21 years ago, the psyche of the political class has not been demilitarised. Hence, decisions taken by rulers are required to be obeyed ‘with immediate effect’ without any legal backing.”
Falana said there where precedent cases which explained why the order could not be enforced.
He stated, “But in Okafor v Governor of Lagos State (2016) LPELR-41066 (CA) the Court of Appeal called on all authorities to appreciate the need to govern the country under the rule of law.”
“Thus, the directive of the governor of Lagos State restricting the movement of citizens and residents during the State’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise was struck down because of its unconstitutionality.
“It was the unanimous view of their Lordships that the arrest of Appellant for flouting the order or directive of the Governor was completely illegal. According to Georgewill , J.C.A. “
He faulted lawyers saying that the law should be completely relegated to the background in combating the coronavirus pandemic.
He said, “It reminds me of the dissenting judgment of Lord Atkins in the case of Liversidge v Anderson 1944 UKHL 1. While accusing his learned brethren of being “more executive minded than the executive”, his Lordship said inter alia:
“In England, amidst the clash of arms, the laws are not silent. They may be changed, but they speak the same language in war as in peace. It has always been one of the pillars of freedom, one of the principles of liberty for which on recent authority we are now fighting, that the judges are no respecters of persons, and stand between the subject and any attempted encroachments on his liberty by the executive, alert to see that any coercive action is justified in law.”
Falana called on the Federal Government to shelve the idea of sending the military to the streets to enforce the no-movement order.
He said, “While the nation’s armed forces should be commended for making their medical facilities available to members of the public in the fight against the highly dangerous virus, the plan to dispatch armed soldiers to the streets to enforce the COVID-19 guidelines should be shelved because it is illegal.
‘For the upteenth time, I am compelled to draw the attention of the military authorities to the case of Yussuf v Obasanjo (2005) 18 NWLR (Pt ) where Salami JCA (as he then was) held that ‘it is up to the police to protect our nascent democracy and not the military, otherwise the democracy might be wittingly or unwittingly militarized.
“This is not what the citizenry bargained for in wrestling power from the military in 1999. Conscious steps should be taken to civilianise the polity and thereby ensure the survival of and sustenance of democracy.”
The Lagos lawyer said, rather, the federal government should deploy more soldiers in confronting the Boko Haram terrorist group instead of unleashing them on the innocent citizens seeking their livelihood.
Lawyer approaches court to stop Buhari’s sit- at- home’ order
In a related development, a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, says he is approaching a Federal High Court to stop the President from restricting the movements of Nigerians living in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja.
This is despite the partial closure of courts by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad.
Effiong, who is a Lagos resident, said in a statement on Monday that the President had no right to do so without recourse to the National Assembly.
The Lagos-based lawyer further stated that it was wrong of Buhari to have restricted movement without the backing of any law.
He added, “After a deep reflection on President Buhari’s decision to lockdown all movements in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja by Presidential fiat for 14 days, I have resolved to challenge this unconstitutional action in court.
“No responsible, democratic and civilised country will throw its constitution and laws into the dustbin in an effort to tackle a pandemic like Covid-19 the way President Buhari has done. Freedom of movement is a fundamental right guaranteed by Section 41 of the constitution.
Sultan Knocks Islamic Clerics For Misleading Muslim Followers [PUNCH]
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll, expressed anger over the attitude of some Muslim clerics for misleading their followers over the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus in the country.
The sultan, who is also the spiritual leader of Muslims in Nigeria, was particularly sad that some Muslim clerics were going against measures put in place to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 across the land.
He condemned the attitudes of the clerics, warning that the coronavirus was real and that adequate precautionary measures must be adhered to.
The leader of Izalatu Islamic sect in Plateau State, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, had in a preaching told his followers that there was nothing like the deadly coronavirus ravaging the world.
Jingir had said it was a western conspiracy to stop Muslims from performing their religious rites, noting that the virus was a lie.
The sect leader had stated this during a sermon on an Izala TV, monitored in Kaduna penultimate Tuesday.
Apart from that, two Islamic clerics were caught while conducting the Friday congregational prayers in Malali and Ungwan Kanawa areas, all in the Kaduna North Local Government of the state.
This was despite the curfew imposed on the state by the Kaduna State Government to tackle the spread of COVID-19.
The Sultan chastised the Muslim clerics, urging them to desist from misleading the Muslim community on the deadly virus.
The Sultan described the attitude of some of the Islamic clerics as unfortunate and myopic.
He noted that it was sheer ignorance for any Islamic cleric to claim there was nothing like coronavirus currently ravaging the entire world.
The Sultan, who spoke through the JNI Secretary General, Dr Abubakar Khalid-Aliyu, in a statement, also warned that the Muslim ummah (community) must never allow a repeat of what happened in Italy in Nigeria.
The statement read in part, “Jama’atu Nasril Islam under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, is once again saddened with the recent unfortunate developments of misleading the Muslim Ummah (Community) by some sections of ‘Ulama (preachers) over the coronavirus prevalence.
“We must as an Ummah avoid a repeat of the current trend in Italy, which was partly due to non-adherence to expert advice over the pandemic. Allah, the most wise says “…So ask those who know if you know not” Q16:43. Therefore, we should all bear in mind that knowledge is an amanah (trust) and must be safeguarded and delivered as such, thus the need for this statement.
“One may not be wrong to conclude that the action of some of the ‘Ulama clearly depicts sheer whims and caprices of their myopic worldview, stark ignorance of reality based on genuine knowledge and medical scholarship.
“It is, however, regrettable that as the negative actions of such preachers incite innocent Muslims, who are unaware of the serious health implications of adhering to such empty dispositions that invariably endanger humanity. Nonetheless, it should be noted that the issue of plague and/or pandemic is not new throughout human history, either at various times or places, the Muslim world inclusive.
“It is thus sheer monumental ignorance to falsely claim that the pandemic of the coronavirus does not exist and that it is a lie and a shadow of a ghost. Such lamentable utterances leave much to be desired by any scholar that is worth being called a scholar. Moreover, the matter is a documented fact whose medical precedents have been set in curbing its tide in human history.
“Therefore, the current position of government is not a new standpoint to curtail the spread of the infection. Rather, new methods of mitigating it and nipping it in the bud emerged in this contemporary world we live in, as a result of scholarly findings.”
Electricity Tariff To Increase On Wednesday [PUNCH]
Nigerians will from Wednesday, April 1, 2020, pay more for electricity, The PUNCH reports.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had disclosed this in its December 2019 Minor Review of Multi-Year Tariff Order 2015 and Minimum Remittance Order for the Year 2020.
Checks by The PUNCH on Monday showed that the decision to increase tariff had not yet been suspended despite the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A top source at Ikeja Electric told The PUNCH that the firm had not received any directive from NERC as regards reversal of the plan.
He said, “According to the tariff order for the year, we are supposed to increase on April 1, 2020. So far, we have not received any directive not to go ahead.”
Efforts to get NERC to speak on the matter were not successful on Monday as the spokesman for the commission, Usman Arabi, said he was not around but on a course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.
Arabi’s substitute, however, did not respond to calls or a text message sent to him.
NERC had disclosed in its December 2019 Minor Review of Multi-Year Tariff Order 2015 and Minimum Remittance Order for the Year 2020 that the order was issued to reflect the impact of changes in the minor review variables in the determination of cost-reflective tariffs and relevant tariff and market shortfalls for 2019 and 2020.
The commission said the order also determined the minimum remittances payable by the distribution companies in meeting their market obligations based on the allowed tariffs.
It said, “The Federal Government’s updated Power Sector Recovery Programme does not envisage an immediate increase in end-user tariffs until April 1, 2020, and a transition to full cost reflectivity by end of 2021.
“In the interim, the Federal Government has committed to funding the revenue gap arising from the difference between cost-reflective tariffs determined by the commission and the actual end-user tariffs payable by customers.”
According to NERC, all Discos are obligated to settle their market invoices in full as adjusted and netted off by applicable tariff shortfall.
It said, “All FGN intervention from the financing plan of the PSRP for funding tariff shortfall shall be applied through NBET and the market operator to ensure 100 per cent settlement of invoices issued by market participants.
“Effectively, this order places a freeze on the tariffs of the TCN and administrative charges until April 2020 at the rates applied in generating MO invoices for the period of January to October 2019.”
Buhari Signs COVID-19 Law [THE NATION]
The President last night signed the law declaring COVID-19 pandemic a dangerous infectious disease.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said: “In exercise of the powers conferred on him by Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Quarantine Act (CAP Q2 LFN 2004), and all other powers enabling him in that behalf, President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, signed the Covid-19 Regulations, 2020, which declared Covid-19 a dangerous infectious disease.
“The Regulations, effective March 30, 2020, also gave legal backing to the various measures outlined in the President’s National Broadcast on March 29, 2020, such as Restriction/Cessation of Movement in Lagos, FCT and Ogun State and others toward containing the spread of the pandemic in the country.
“In addition, to ensure that Nigerians can still perform on-line transactions and use ATMs whilst observing these restrictions, exemption is granted financial system and money markets to allow very skeletal operations in order to keep the system in light operations during the pendency of these regulations.”
Soyinka To States: Don’t Cede Your Powers To Fed Govt [THE NATION]
NOBEL laureate, Wole Soyinka on Monday warned governors and members of the National Assembly to watch against any attempt by the Federal Government to usurp their powers.
Soyinka questioned President Muhammadu Buhari’s power to impose a 14-day curfew on Lagos, Ogun and Abuja, in a bid to contain the Coronavirus pandemic.
He invited states and the lawmakers to determine whether the president acted in accordance with the law.
The playwright, who on Monday completed his 14-day self-isolation after returning from the United States, stated this in a statement ‘Between covid and constitutional encroachment’.
The shutdown, which will be for an initial two weeks, “is the containment period to identify, trace and isolate all individuals that have come into contact with confirmed cases,” Buhari said on Sunday night.
Soyinka said: “Constitutional lawyers and our elected representatives should kindly step into this and educate us, mere lay minds. The worst development I can conceive is to have a situation where rational measures for the containment of the Corona pandemic are rejected on account of their questionable genesis. This is a time for Unity of Purpose, not nitpicking dissensions.
“Does President Buhari have the powers to close down state borders? We want clear answers. We are not in a war emergency. Appropriately focussed on measures for the saving lives and committed to making sacrifices for the preservation of our communities, we should nonetheless remain alert to any encroachment on constitutionally demarcated powers.”
He urged Nigerians to exercise “collective vigilance”, adding that failure to do so, could “compromise the future by submitting to interventions that are not backed by law and constitution.”
According to Soyinka, the President who has been “conspicuously AWOL, the Rip van Winkle of Nigerian history, is now alleged to have woken up after a prolonged siesta and begun to issue orders.
“Who actually instigates these orders anyway? From where do they really emerge? What happens when the orders conflict with state measures, the product of a systematic containment strategy, including even trial-and-error and hiccups – undertaken without let or leave of the Centre?
“So far, the anti-COVID19 measures have proceeded along the rails of decentralised thinking, multilateral collaboration and technical exchanges between states.”
He noted that the Federal Government has been part of the fight against the virus, “and one expects this to be the norm, even without the epidemic’s frontal assault on the Presidency itself.
“Indeed, the Centre is expected to drive the overall effort, but in collaboration, with extraordinary budgeting and refurbishing of facilities.”
But, according to him, stakeholders should ensure that seriousness and urgency of this virus, “should not become an opportunistic launch pad for a sneak re-centralisation, no matter how seemingly insignificant its appearance.”
Fed Govt Exempts Banks From Restriction [THE NATION]
COMMERCIAL banks were on Monday exempted from the restriction on movements and activities in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The exemption, announced by the Boss Mustapha-led Presidential Task Force on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, came hours to the enforcement of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 24-hour lockdown in the two states and FCT.
The announcement was made at a news conference at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) in Abuja.
It also came on the heels of news that the President has appointed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as head of an Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC).
Health Minister Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who is a member of the PTF, disclosed at the conference jointly addressed by his ministry and that of the OSGF, broke the news on the second COVID-19 death.
Mustapha explained that the exemption granted banks was to ensure that banks provide skeletal services while the restriction lasts.
On the operations of the newly constituted ESC, Mustapha said the terms of reference would be made available subsequently.
He, however, appealed to all Nigerians for understanding, especially because of the inconveniences that would come with the measures being introduced to contain the spread of the deadly COVID-19.
The SGF said: “For economic sustainability, Mr. President has, today, approved the constitution of a committee to be chaired by His Excellency, the Vice President. The terms of reference of the committee will be announced soon.’
“Similarly, Mr. President has approved the exemption of the financial services sector from the restrictions, to allow skeletal operations in the financial system and money markets to keep system in light operations during this period.
“Let me use this medium to appeal to all Nigerians, through you, for full understanding, unity of purpose and in the interest of humanity, to observe all measures put in place, remain vigilant and cooperate with security and other agencies who are toiling day and night to keep us safe and alive.
“The response strategy of the PTF shall remain focused on testing, detection, contact tracing, containment, slowing down the spread and management of coronavirus.
“A lot of questions have been asked by the public about testing and the PTF is always willing to provide relevant information and clarifications.
“The PTF remains the Strategic Decision and Coordinating Body for the National Response on COVID 19. It is important to state that a National Response Strategy for COVID-19 has been developed and is being constantly reviewed as dictated by developments.”
Speaking after the SGF, Dr. Ehanire said the second COVID-19 death was recorded over the weekend, adding that the deceased was suffering other illnesses.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Health had intensified efforts at contacts tracing, adding that the strategy remained prompt detection of suspected cases.
The minister said: “Till date, three persons have been discharged after successful treatment, but sadly, another fatality was recorded over weekend in the person of a patient who has severe underline illnesses.
“We have intensified contact tracing and our strategy remains to promptly detect cases, isolate them and follow up with their contacts and also isolate and treat in other to reduce the spread of the infection.
“As of today, the 30th of March 2020, we have recorded 111 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria, out of which 68 are in Lagos, 21 in FCT, seven in Oyo, three in Ogun, two in Bauchi, two in Edo, two in Osun, two in Enugu and one each in Benue, Ekiti, Kaduna and Rivers states.
“Majority of them are persons who came from overseas and others have been traced as close contacts of such returnees.
“The high number of cases in Lagos and Abuja is due to their function as country gateways for air travel.”
He said that the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) had also been empowered to expand its capacity to test for COVID-19.
“The NCDC is working round the clock to improve turn-around time for testing in all our six molecular laboratories. We aim to scale up to 13 laboratories in next three weeks. In progress- Abakaliki, Maiduguri, Kano, Sokoto, Port Harcourt, Jos and Kaduna,” the minister said.
He, however, reminded Nigerians that testing for the virus is free of charge.
I ‘murdered’ Coronavirus, Says Discharged Survivor [THE NATION]
Osowobi relives battle against COVID-19 at Lagos isolation centre
HOURS after she was certified free of Coronavirus and discharged, Miss Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi on Monrday relived her battle against the virus.
She declared victory, saying: “I’ve murdered Coronavirus. I fought to live. Coronavirus is not a death sentence. People can survive and I have.”
Miss Osowobi is the Executive Director of an anti-rape Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) @StandtoEndRape.
She said she had to swallow about 31 tablets daily, eight in the morning, 13 in the afternoon and 10 in the night.
The activist said she ended up vomiting the pills only to depend on Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) after becoming dehydrated.
She said she got infected with Coronavirus while looking forward a fantastic consultancy job, which she eventually lost.
She praised Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for coming to see her.
Osowobi, who defied stigma, made known her experience on her twitter handle (@AyodejiOsowobi).
She was among the five people discharged yesterday from the Lagos Isolation Centre after their recovery
Her experience with Coronavirus is a mixed bag of pains and hope.
She promised to release the video clip of her experience.
Miss Osowobi said: “Life finds ways of throwing Lemon at me. I’ve struggled with coming forward, but I want to inspire hope.
“I returned to Nigeria from the UK post-Commonwealth event (I totally enjoyed) and fell ill. As a responsible person, I self-isolated
“Before returning, I had planned several interviews, I was scheduled to start a fantastic consultancy job and was also expecting to sign a contract worth millions. I lost them all!!!
“I had to self-isolate and also inform people I came in close contact with to get tested. #COVID19
“My friend and I kept calling @NCDCgov to get tested? What if we didn’t persist?
“No info on my test result. At 12am, an ambulance was at my house. I woke from sleep and was crying. I got to the isolation centre, but no one was there to receive me. I waited in the ambulance for two hours.
“The nurses eventually came out and treated me like a plague. I sat in the ambulance feeling rejected.
“No questions about how I felt. So many questions about my travel history. Same information I had provided to NCDC & Lagos State Government during profiling. Lack of data sharing!
“After two hours, I was taken to my space. I felt lonely, bored & disconnected from the outside world.
“Few days after, another patient came in. We bonded. Days later, patients trooped in.
“Are people observing self-isolation and social distancing?” I was so scared for Nigeria.
“The next days were tough. No appetite. The nausea, vomit & stooling was unbearable. I’m a blood type A & #COVID19 dealt with me. I’ll share daily symptoms & recovery process in a video tomorrow.
“I thought I was going to die and contemplated a succession plan for @StandtoEndRape”
Osowobi explained how she and other coronavirus patients were managed at the isolation centre.
She described the medical team as fabulous.
A major highlight was how she was on 31 tablets per day which she ended up vomiting.
She said: “I was on drugs daily. Sometimes, I‘d take 8 tablets in the morning, 13 tablets in the afternoon, 10 at night. My system threw everything out!
“Water, food, soap and all disgusted me. But, I’d look at the wall and force myself to stay hydrated — drank ORS. I fought to live! I fought!!”
Notwithstanding, Osowobi, who was the third Nigerian to be infected by Coronavirus, said she later tested negative.
She added: “Days after, the doctors shared agood news that I tested negative. I shared this news with family and friends! My blood sample was taken and I also tried to donate my plasmapheresis to help others. I hoped to be discharged.
“I waited to be discharged, but for two days, nothing happened. I continued the medication and asked to be in a separate ward. Sadly, I remained in the same ward as all others rooms were full.
“My ward had people who were positive. What if I get re-infected? For them, I was a beacon of hope and they needed me gone to register the progress.”
She recounted her encounter with a doctor in her last moments in the Isolation Centre
She quoted the doctor as saying “…You’ll stay a few more days. You know we take nose, mouth & sputum samples.”
“Am I still positive,?”I asked.
“No, you’re negative,” the doctor replied.
“The doctor apologised for the delay. I was anxious to go home but remained calm. I wanted to be free from this pain.
“I was unsure of what was going on. Why haven’t I been discharged? Should I be in the same ward? Could I get re-infected? I was worried but remained calm.
“On the 3rd day, Doctors said, “well, we worked with the info we had of you testing negative, but one result came back positive.”
“My family & friends were becoming anxious. People in my ward who earlier celebrated the news of my result suddenly lost hope.
“Why are you still here? You shouldn’t be here with us. You should be separated from us now…People in my ward muttered. I tried to calm them.
“Today, I am proud to inform you that I murdered COVID-19 and I have tested negative twice! I have been discharged! I bless God for His mercies. Coronavirus is NOT a death sentence. People can survive and I HAVE!
“The nurses at IDH Yaba were fab(Fabulous). They deserve accolades for their hard work. Thank you Governor @jidesanwoolu for coming to see me.”
She said a takeaway from her ordeal was the value of friendship despite being stigmatized.
She said: “This experience reminded me of the value of friendship. Some people I refer to as friends speculated about this, but never reached out to check.
Thank you still. Back to the grind!
“Huge thanks to my family, @Triciabiz and Sola Odetola who were my backbone. Thanks to everyone who called, sent messages and tried to contact me. I am grateful and well. This experience reminded me of the value of friendship.
“Thanks to @ProfAkinAbatyomi, the health team at IDH+ Lagos State. The food was good. Thanks to @dondekojo for helping me get help. Thanks to my chat buddy, @akintonminde
“Thank you@KelechiAFC and @lailajohnsosal for the mental and material support
“Some stigmatized me based on an article with subtle messages like “why did she come back to Nigeria?” Nigeria is my home. Coronavirus is NOT a death sentence. People can survive and I HAVE!
“Here to remind you that no matter how you itch to do it or how convenient it may seem, never use your friend’s situation or information to score points. It’s a crass behaviour!!! Don’t be that person.
COVID-19: NAFDAC Orders Mass Production Of Chloroquine For Emergency Treatment [SUN]
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered mass production of Chloroquine for emergency stock for possible clinical trial treatment.
Chloroquine was reported to had demonstrated marked efficacy and acceptable safety in treating COVID-19 associated pneumonia in a multi-center clinical trials conducted in China.
The study, which involved 10 hospitals in Wuhan, Jingzhou, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Ningbo, was reported to be superior to controlling pneumonia associated with COVID-19, and shortening the cause of the disease.
Nigeria discontinued the use of Chloroquine as anti-malaria drug many years ago because of the resistance the parasite developed against the drug.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday, expressed fear that sourcing the raw material, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) chloroquine phosphate, could be difficult because the use of the drug was discontinued in Nigeria long ago.
“About four weeks ago, I approached a local drug manufacturing company in Nigeria (May and Baker), a member of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN), whose flagship product in the past was chloroquine to make a batch of the drug for emergency stock.
“The company had NAFDAC approval for the production of the drug as antimalarial many years ago before the discontinuation. But my fear is possible difficulty in getting the API due to the fact that the drug has been discontinued long ago.
“But few days after, they called that they were able to get the API, and I asked them to manufacture a batch for emergency stock just in case more people become exposed and infected with the virus. The batch has been manufactured and the company plans to make more batches if needed.”
NAFDAC, however, advised Nigerians to desist from its use without the guidance of a medical doctor or clinician for cases of clinical trial treatment of COVID-19.
“It has side effects such as gastrointestinal upset, blurred vision, headache and pruritis (itching). The itching can be relieved by using antihistamine. Prolonged use can also cause retinopathy or vision impairment,” it said.
The agency promised to use its regulatory activities to ensure clinical trial protocol guidelines are followed and wished the clinical research teams great success in stopping the raging pandemic.
Senators Donates 50% Salary [SUN]
Senators have revealed plans to contribute 50 per cent of their salaries to support the fight against the spread and treatment of coronavirus in Nigeria.
Spokesman of the Senate, Godiya Akwashiki, announced the decision, yesterday, in a statement.
“After due consultations following a keen review of the national efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, the senate wishes to announce that from March, distinguished senators will be donating 50 per cent of their salaries to these efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our country.This monthly contribution from the upper legislative chamber will be sustained until Nigeria is declared safe from the ravages of this deadly disease.
“The senate commends the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari and the administration towards the goal of securing our nation against this plague. The senate is willing and ready to do whatever is required of the legislature for the effectiveness of all the measures in place now or that may be required in the future to win the fight against this menace.
“The senate commends all agencies of the federal and state levels for working in collaboration to protect public health across the country. It also acknowledges the patriotic response of public-spirited individuals and organisations who have contributed in one way or the other in support of this fight.
“The senate further appeals to the citizens to comply with the directives on social distancing and observance of basic rules of hygiene as explained by public health officials as the most effective way to protect ourselves, families and country against COVID-19. This is a global adversity that is testing the wit and resilience of mankind all over the world. By staying resolute and each of us responsibly playing their role, COVID-19 like all epidemics before it will soon be pushed into history,” Akwashiki said.
Gas constraint: Black Out Looms As 4 Power Plants Shutdown [SUN]
- TCN blames poor supply on gas shortages
Except urgent steps are taken over the next few days to improve challenges in the power value chain, parts of the country may soon be hit with total blackout as four power plants are now lying idle and generating zero MW of electricity.
The situation may further compound the woes of residents living in states now partially or fully locked down over the dreaded coronavirus.
The four power plants said to be currently generating zero MW of electricity due to gas constaints include Geregu, Sapele, Olorunsogo and Gbarian.
Others working at partial capacity are; Geregu NIPP generating 81 MW with a shortfall of 354MW, Olorunsogo gas plant which is generating 70.5MW with a shortfall of 195.5MW and Omotosho NIPP generating 110MW with a shortfall of 220MW, while Egbin power plant, Alaoji NIPP, Delta, Okpai are equally affected by gas shortage.
Egbin is currently generating 596MW with a short fall of 264MW with Delta II-IV gas generating 306.81MW and recording a shortfall of 128.19MW while Okpai gas plant is generating 159MW having a shortfall of 291MW.
On the other hand, Rivers IPP, AFAM IV-V and Paras Energy are also generating with a shortfall of 40MW, 60MW and 30.2MW respectively. AFAM VI does not have gas supply problem but one of its units is out on fault.
Presently, Azura and Odukpani power plants are the only two thermal power generating stations generating at full capacity into the nations grid.
Reacting to the development, the General Manager, Public Affairs, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mrs Nididi Mbah, explained that the power sector had in the past weeks continued to experience power supply shortage due to serious gas constraints to most of the nation’s thermal generating stations.
She said with the current situation, a few of the distribution companies that can pick more load are unable to, because what is generated into the grid is what TCN strives to distribute equitably to DisCos nationwide.
She explained further that the TCN had reported the low gas supply to many power plants few weeks ago but the gas shortage has persisted till date.
This, she said has restrained optimal generation into the grid and consequently the quantum of electricity transmitted to distribution load centers.
TCN had in an earlier statement released on March 7, 2020 stated that low gas supply was significantly affecting the quantum of power generated into the grid. It said the poor gas supply challenge has not abated but is getting worse, even after the maintenance of the gas pipelines noting that there is need to urgently address the issue of gas shortage to thermal generating power plants nationwide to avert serious system disturbance.