Covid 19: Aso Rock Shut, Land Borders Too

By Fola James

The federal government has directed all land borders in the country to be shut until further notice.

The magazine leant that the FG is contemplating closing the Abuja and Lagos airports to air traffic.

Other airports have already been shut in the course of last week.

Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, disclosed this during the Federal executive Council Meeting, FEC on Monday.

The question many Nigerians are asking, however, is whether the order will be effective in the face of the many unmanned borders across the country, particularly in the north.

For instance, the partial land border closure on imported goods since last August, many say, has been less effective, especially in the northern part of the country, where smugglers’ activities are still ongoing unhindered.

Now combined with FG’s restriction on human movement, expert say it will be very tough for security agencies, to carry out the order.

But the SGF  said the order to close all land borders is necessary in the prevailing circumstances to contain the deadly coronavirus from spreading in the country.

In a statement issued yesterday after the FEC meeting, Mustapha said other extraneous measures have also been taken by President Muhammadu Bihari to keep Nigerian safe from the virus, among which is the postponement, indefinitely of the weekly FEC meeting.

The FEC meeting , schedule for this Thursday, the SGF said will no longer hold.

Read the SGF full statement:

“ Ladies and gentlemen, after a further review, Mr. President on the recommendation of Presidential Task Force (PTF) has approved the following additional measures: Suspension of the weekly FEC meetings until further notice; postponement of the meeting of the Council of State scheduled for Thursday 26th March, 2020;

“ All land borders that have been hitherto under partial closure shall now be closed for human traffic for four weeks effective, 23rd March, 2020; in order to protect Federal Civil and Public Servants, a circular to be issued by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) shall direct on actions to be taken immediately;

“ All Abuja and Lagos residents are strongly advised to stay at home, avoid mass congregation of any kind as well as non- essential outings, until further advice is given.”
Mustapha also gave an update on the coronavirus statistic across the world, citing the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“ As at the time the Honourable Minister of Health (HMoH), briefed you earlier today, the numbers from the World Health Organisation (WHO), confirmed that the virus has covered 192 countries, reporting over 329,000 cases,” he said.

“In Africa, 42 out of 54 countries have reported cases while 48 deaths have been recorded. In Nigeria, 36 cases have been reported and one fatality has occurred. The first responders, particularly the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), continues to attend to reports received through telephone calls and other medium.

“ We commend Nigerians for stepping out to report and/or make enquires through the dedicated hotlines. Records show that on Sunday, 22nd March, 2020, over 4500 calls were received. This shows the high level of awareness amongst Nigerians.

“ The strategy of government is to focus on testing, detection and containment through contact tracking in order to minimize hugely, the possibility of community spread. We urge anyone experiencing the symptoms of the virus or has been in contact with anyone who has been suspected or tested positive to please report at the nearest medical facility or the designated center.

“ The Presidential Task Force (PTF) continues to monitor the global and domestic developments and has isolated Lagos and Abuja for particular attention in view of their population, mobility and number of cases already reported.”