Ahead of next week Sallah festivities, the National Economic Council (NEC) has called for strict adherence to the COVID-19 response guidelines across the country.
The body stated this after receiving a regular state performance report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
According to the report, the coronavirus positivity rate has gone up in the country just as 3 cases of the Delta variant has now been detected.
This disclosure was made Thursday at the Council’s 118th meeting, which held virtually and was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, with state governors, ministers, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele and other senior government officials in attendance.
A press statement by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity Office in the Office of the Vice President, said the Council received the state performance report on COVID-19 from NCDC Director-General Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, who noted that the Delta variant is a new variant identified in 103 countries and is 60% more transmissible than the highly infectious Alpha variant which was previously identified.
The DG said despite the low number of cases in the country, the positivity rate had gone up and Lagos state has a larger burden of 70%-80% cases in the country, having recorded an increase in number of cases in the last 10 weeks.
He, therefore, urged the Council to ensure the sustenance of effective COVID-19 response nationwide, while improving public health awareness, adherence to public health and social measures.
The agency also called for the re-activation and sustained functioning of isolation centres as proactive preparatory measures towards tackling a possible third wave.
The Council was also briefed by the NEC Ad-hoc Committee interfacing with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to ease the lockdown of the economy.
Chairman of the committee and Delta state Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa said with the emergence of the Delta variant in Lagos state, there was an increase in monitoring activities at entry points across the country.
The committee said state governors would continue to monitor the situation for the next one week to see if there will be need for an emergency Ad-hoc committee meeting on the situation.
Update on cholera
The Council also received an update on cholera cases in some parts of the country.
The statement said: “Also today, the Council received and discussed the initial report of its Ad-Hoc Committee interfacing with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on the complete deregulation of the downstream sub-sector of the industry, and appropriate pricing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Observations and comments were made and it was resolved that an updated version will be submitted by the Committee inclusive of observations raised at today’s meeting and then an updated report be made to the National Economic Council (NEC) for further action.
“This resolution comes even as the Council noted that the Federal Government is working out modalities of providing Auto gas conversion kits, and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)/ Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), mass transit buses to major cities nationwide as cheaper alternatives to PMS/petrol for transportation and fuel.
“In the same vein, the Council received updates on the FG Budget Support Facility to States as the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning informed the Council that with the agreement reached on the matter with the CBN providing a bridge financing facility to the States, deductions from State Governments will now commence from July.
“Regarding panels of enquiries in the States on EndSARS protests, Vice President Osinbajo noted that a number of states had submitted their reports and more reports are being awaited. He encouraged State governments to turn in the reports while noting that the panels are still sitting in some States.”
The statement quoted Vice President Osinbajo as saying the Council would have a full consideration on the reports from the states, make a compilation of the reports and review the implementation options.
He said, so far, reports had been received from Ekiti, Enugu and Nasarawa states while more reports were being awaited.
Professor Osinbajo also encouraged the states that were yet to complete the panel’s work to send in interim reports.
Food disaster risk management
In addition, the Council received a presentation on Flood Disaster Risk Management in Nigeria for 2021 by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, and the Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
It urged state governments to take proactive and necessary remedial measures in addressing the envisaged 2021 flood disaster in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, while encouraging relevant Federal Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) to take necessary actions.
Other highlights
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Zainab Ahmed, who gave the Council an update of financial account, said Excess Crude Account (ECA) balance as at 13th July, 2021 stood at $60,852,533.19; Stabilisation Account, N26, 346,419,015.43, and Development of Natural Resources Account N23, 573,977,607.78
