All plans are on deck by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba, Richard Adeniyi Adebayo to meet with research institutes, academic institutions, manufacturers and other stakeholders involved in the manufacturing of local Ventilators to fight the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world.
The minister disclosed this on Wednesday while receiving the weekly briefing by the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) of the Committee on Sustainable Production/Delivery of Essential Commodities during COVID-19 of the ministry stressing that the collaboration will guarantee the availability of ventilators an essential and very critical tool in the fight against the pandemic.
He assured Nigerians that mechanism is being put in place to ensure that the economy does not suffer any shock as a result of the lockdown.
He however, called on heads of security agencies to instruct their personnel at check points across the country to comply with the recent directive by Mr. President to allow the free flow and movement of essential commodities despite the inter-state movement restrictions and curfew within the country.
It would be recalled that the Minister recently emphasized on need to observe Market Protocol which is using of face masks and having hand sanitizer as well as social distancing among other precautionary measures at all times on approved market days before being allowed access into the market for transactions.
“I need to stress that, while there is an undeniable need for markets to be open on some days for people to restock on household supplies, it is most important for the set protocol during the process to be complied with to the latter.
“The use of face masks and hand sanitisers on market days are non-negotiable to limit the spread of the virus until the scourge blows over” Adebayo said.
