As the first phase of the gradual easing of the lockdown imposed by governmemt in order to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease comes to an end , President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday met with members of the Presidential Task Force on Covid -19 to ascertain the level of progress so far made.
The President is set to address the nation in a broadcast today, Monday, May 18, 2020 on the way forward on the national response to the spread of tbe deadly virus.
There have been, however, speculations that the government may be forced to extend the lockdown due to the non compliance of the citizens especially in the frontline states.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha said the PTF submitted its interim report to the president.
He said the fight against Covid -19 pandemic is a marathon not a sprint .
“We might not be there totally but I am confident that looking at the strategies that we are putting in place, going forward, we will strengthen those objectives that we have substantially achieved which are purpose driven in terms of dealing with COVID-19 and like I said it is not a 100 meter race, it is a marathon.
“So at every point in time you implace the strategy and move forward and that is what we are doing. I can assure that what proposals we have brought today for Mr. President’s consideration, I think holistically, it will put us in a better frame to deal with the future.
The SGF also expressed worry over the poor conduct and attitudes of some Nigerians to the pandemic even as he called on Nigerian to take their safety as a personal responsibility.
However, Aliyu Sani, the national coordinator of the presidential task force on COVID-19, disclosed that the President will address the nation today on the second phase of the gradual easing of the lockdown.
He made this disclosure when he appeared on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
He said the president is to decide on whether or not the country should go ahead with the second phase of the easing of the lockdown.
