The leadership of the National Assembly has lauded the role and competence displayed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman Presidential Task Force, PTF, on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha.
President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, gave the commendation on Thursday when Mustapha led members of the PTF to brief them on efforts made so far to combat the rampaging Coronavirus.
Senator Lawan said the PTF has done a good job so far by coordinating the fight against the pandemic, reaching out to the various states and by giving Nigerians daily updates on the national response strategy.
He also suggested the harmonisation of the funds contributed by organisations and individuals to combat Covid-19 for accountability even as he canvassed effective and efficient service delivery to Nigerians.
Mustapha told the lawmakers that coronavirus has emerged as the most significant public health emergency of international concern spreading across 209 countries and with more than 1.5 million cases.
“The disease has placed considerable and significant strain on the global health care system and the economy of the world,” he said and warned that “given the relentless exponential growth rate witnessed in other countries, the spread of the virus in the continent and in particular in Nigeria should be expected”, he said.
He said President Muhammad Buhari gave the PTF his full support and listed its achievements as: High level political and multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms for preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic with consequent improvement in inter-ministerial and inter-agency coordination and collaboration across all areas of the pandemic response development of a National Multi-Sectorial Pandemic Response Plan and engagement of all MDAs and extra-ministerial departments in the response.Out of concern for the most vulnerable, the SGF said the president has raised a team headed by the Minister of Finance to examine the impact on the economy; an economic sustainability committee headed by the Vice President; a stimulus package of over N500billion; the employment of 774,000 Nigerians; payment of Conditional Cash Transfer under the Social Safety Net Programmes; continuation of the School Feeding Programme to sustain its nutritional value; the release of 70MT of grains from the Strategic Reserve for distribution in Lagos, Ogun States, the FCT as well as the 13 frontline states and the release of 150 trucks of seized rice and other commodities for distribution to the poor.
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