President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the mandate of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 for a further period till the end of March, 2021 bearing in mind the new surge in the number of cases and the bid for vaccines.
The President disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, while receiving the End-of-Year Report of the task force.
According to President Buhari, “recent reports reaching me indicate that Nigeria is now facing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide which is similar to the second wave of infections occurring in other countries across the world.
“New epicentres have been identified and the nation cannot afford to lose the gains of the last nine months. I have critically evaluated the situation and remain convinced that urgent measures have to be taken to halt the spread and the attendant fatalities.
“Closely associated with the foregoing is the need to speedily and strategically access and administer the COVID vaccine in a safe, effective and timely manner. This is an important obligation that we owe Nigerians as we go into year 2021 and it must be carried out through an efficient machinery.”
The President added that “the nation is clearly in a perilous situation given the virulent nature of this second wave and we must act decisively to protect our people. I therefore urge all sub-national entities, traditional rulers, religious and leaders of thought to collaborate with the PTF by taking up the responsibility for risk communication and community engagement at all levels. Now is the time for collective efforts to be intensified.
“As the festive season approaches, I urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and stay safe. Non-essential trips and large social gatherings should be avoided or shelved completely.”
The Nigerian leader thanked the National Assembly for giving the needed support in the fight against the pandemic.
He said: “I wish to acknowledge the immeasurable support received from the National Assembly, state governments, the private sector coalition, the international community, development partners, well-meaning Nigerians who donated in cash and kind and also made sacrifices, the media organisations, security agencies and the frontline workers who toiled day and night as our last line of defence. The list is endless. Our gratitude is endless
“On behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, I thank you one and all for your support and contributions to this National Response to a global emergency.”
The Task Force, under the leadership of Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha was established March 9, 2020 to coordinate and oversee Nigeria’s multi-sectoral intergovernmental efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria.
