COVID-19 Safety Protocols: FCT Minister seeks more funding to enforce compliance 

The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Muhammad Musa Bello has appealed for more funding from the Presidential Taskforce, PTF to enforce strict compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols.

The Minister made this request during a stakeholders meeting held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

While expressing satisfaction with the efforts shown by the administration so far to the fight against COVID-19, the Minister noted that those efforts have helped in saving lives.

Bello assured the stakeholders that the administration will ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Coronavirus Disease Health Protection Regulation 2021 as released by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

The Minister explained that even though the FCT is regarded as an epicenter, the Administration has been successful in its response to the disease and assured of the FCTA’s preparedness to fight the second wave through the cooperation of all the stakeholders across the Territory.

According to him, “My appeal to you is that please, let us work hard, particularly at the community level and that is why I am so happy to see that out of the 6 Area Council Chairmen, 5 are present today”.

He disclosed further that the Task Force on COVID-19 guidelines enforcement will be re-invigorated to ensure that enforcement cascades down to the community and grassroots level while reminding the security agencies that enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines was now a presidential directive that must be implemented.

The Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijani Aliyu expressed the appreciation of the FCTA to the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for its commitment and dedication in directing the nation’s response to the pandemic.

She also called on all residents to work together to effectively combat the disease, saying, “ if there is anything we have learned in the fight against COVID-19 thus far, it is the realization that working together, we can conquer any challenge that threatens our collective wellbeing”

She also said that the FCT, through committed efforts has succeeded in containing the magnitude of the pandemic and saved a large number of Nigerian lives.

The FCT Commissioner of Police and Chairman of the FCT COVID -19 Enforcement Task Force, Mr Bala Ciroma said that the enforcement team will not only carry out enforcement but will also carry out enlightenment campaigns as well and called on Area Council Chairmen to set up enforcement teams at the local government level.

Other resolutions reached at the stakeholders meeting include the need for the FCT Administration to sanction erring corporate organisations and ensure the effective use of the mobile court system for trial of offenders.

The FCT will also increase public education and community engagement following a baseline assessment of how much the populace know about the virus and launch massive awareness campaigns across the 6 Area Councils of the FCT to further sensitize members of the public on COVID-19.

While it was noted that commercial transportation is one of the major modes of transmitting the disease, it was resolved that all road transport unions will be engaged to ensure strict enforcement of the provisions of the regulations.

The meeting further resolved that there was the need for traditional rulers, religious and community leaders to fully mobilize and enlighten their various constituents on the need to fully comply with the resolutions.

This is in addition to ensuring strict compliance in all the markets across the FCT adding that while all public and private schools are to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the regulations.

The stakeholders also resolved that there was a need for the provision of affordable face masks for members of the public.

The meeting which was chaired by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello also had in attendance the National Incidence Manager of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Dr Mukhtar Mohammed, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, political, traditional and religious leaders as well as heads of the various security agencies in the FCT.

Also present at the event were the Chairmen of Abaji, Kwali, Gwagwalada, Municipal, and Bwari Area Councils, as well as the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr Umar Gambo Jibrin, the Onah of Abaji, Adamu Baba Yunusa, the FCT CAN Chairman, Dr Samson Jonah, the Imam, Abuja National Mosque Dr Mohammed Kabir, heads of civil society organisations and other critical stakeholders.

PIAK