The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Wednesday lamented Nigerians’ non-compliance with guidelines on the gradual reopening of the economy.
The task force Chairman, Boss Mustapha, who stated this at the PTF press conference in Abuja, said disregard for the ban on interstate movements and other guidelines was an indication of the danger ahead.
But the Nigeria Governors’ Forum told The PUNCH that security agencies must live up to their responsibilities by stopping violation of the ban on interstate movements.
The NGF stated this as the Arewa Consultative Forum hit northern governors on the shoddy implementation of the evacuation of Almajiris to their states of origin.
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had, in his broadcast on April 27, banned interstate movements.
The PTF a few days later issued guidelines on social distancing and the ban on any gathering of more than 20 people.
But despite the ban on interstate movements, trucks carrying youths from the northern parts of the country have been finding their way into the south.
Nigerians yet to come to terms with COVID-19 deadliness
Assessing compliance with guidelines, the PTF chairman, Mustapha, said an early assessment of the ease of lockdown indicated that Nigerians had yet to come to terms with the deadliness and the virulent nature of the COVID-19.
According to him, if Nigerians continue to disregard social distancing and other guidelines released by the PTF, there is danger ahead.
The SGF said some of the PTF worries included non-compliance with social/physical distancing guidelines evidenced by the higher-than-advised congregation of people in banks, traffic gridlocks, especially at entry points to metropolitan areas and disregard for guidelines on carrying capacity of vehicles.
PTF decries dubious concealment of passengers in food trucks
He lamented that there was an increased level of interstate movements worsened by the dubious concealment of people in vehicles carrying foods, and unhygienic and ill-advised use and sharing of masks especially multiple fittings before buying from vendors.
He said, “The overall assessment of compliance with the measures and the outcome of modeling we have developed, point in the direction of danger ahead. We, therefore, need personal discipline, increased awareness, and enforcement.”
The PTF chairman also recognized the challenges encountered at banks.
He stated, “I wish to repeat my call to the banks to also quickly address issues related to difficulty with using their online platforms, especially revalidating expired ATM cards, among others.”
Educate your members on the ban on interstate movements, FG begs transport union
The PTF chairman also urged transportation unions to educate their members on the ban imposed on interstate travels.