President Muhammadu Buhari, during a broadcast on Monday 13th of April, 2020 has announced an extension to the current lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja for another 14 days, OYOGist.com reports.
The President expressed concerns over the continued increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases across the world and in Nigeria and informed the nation that this concern has informed his decision to extend the social distancing measures in place.
He however reaffirmed that the previously issued guidelines on exempted services will remain in place.
“…It has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT for another 14 days effective from 11:59 PM on Monday, 13th of April, 2020 This is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death,” President Buhari said.
“Mosques in Makkah and Medina have been closed. The Pope celebrated Mass on an empty St. Peter’s Square. The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris held Easter Mass with less than 10 people.
“India, Italy and France are in complete lockdown. Other countries are in the process of following suit.
“We cannot be lax.
“The previously issued guidelines on exempted services shall remain.
“This is a difficult decision to take, but I am convinced that this is the right decision. The evidence is clear. The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable.
President Buhari assured Nigerians that the palliatives of the government will be sustained.
The President also announced including an additional 1 million households to the existing 2.6 million households that will receive palliatives from the government.
“I have also directed that the current Social Register be expanded from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks. This means we will support an additional homes with our social investment programs,
“A technical committee is working on this and will submit a report to me by the end of this week.”
Follow OYOGist.com on Twitter for more updates on COVID-19 in Nigeria.
