ABUJA — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Sunday met to consider the request by some section of the country for the re-opening of worship centers.
This is as indications emerged that President Buhari may authorize further easing of the lockdown imposed on the country to contain the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic. Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha led the delegation of the committee to meet with the President as the first phase of two weeks of easing of the lockdown ends today. Speaking to State House correspondents after meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Mustapha said a lot of recommendations had been made to the President and that the President would direct on the next step to follow. He also said that the country was witnessing community transmission which has now placed the burden on the shoulders of the states along side local government councils, traditional rulers and the religious leaders to decide the next action. He said the PTF presented the assessment report of the last ease of the lockdown and made recommendations on the way forward. He said that the economy will be open further if President Buhari gives approval to the recommendations the task force has made. Asked whether there is any hope of reopening the economy, he replied: “Well, we have started. Even in the first phase and the extension that came with it, substantial part of the economy was opened up by way of allowing agricultural production, people that produce fertilizer, and the oil and gas industry was never closed for one day, haulage of oil, refining and prospecting never stopped for one day and some aspects of the financial sector was opened.
“After we receive Mr. President’s approval tonight or tomorrow morning, we will now know which segments of the economy he has allowed for opening.”
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