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Coronavirus:NMA kicks against moves by Govs to ease lockdown

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.As FG urges Govs to stop playing politics with Covid-19 directives

The Nigerian Association (NMA) has kicked against moves by some governors to relaxe measures put in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in some states of the federation.

The NMA, in a statement jointly signed by its President and Secretary General, Dr. Francis Faduyile and Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, respectively, called on the state governments concerned to rescind their decision in the interest of safety of lives.

The body further expressed rude shock over the comments attributed to the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, that social distancing is not needed while wearing a face mask.

It would be recalled that some state governors have since ordered the relaxation of the lockdown orders and authorised mass observance of Jumat prayers and Easter Sunday services.

The NMA also appealed to the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies to ensure that such gatherings do not take place.

“The attention of the NMA has been drawn to some isolated statements negating the established measure of preventing Covid-19- social distancing; and orders by some state governors authorising the mass observance of Jumat prayers and Easter Sunday services.

“Of particular concern are the moratorium on the lockdown to allow mass gathering in mosques and churches starting from Friday to Sunday in Rivers State and the lifting of the ban on Friday prayers by Katsina and Kogi State Governments.

“We are aware that similar orders have also been given in Ondo, Ebonyi and Imo states which have approved mass attendance of Easter services.

“While appreciating the prime place of religion in our national lives and especially the value Christians place on Easter, we place on record that there is now the evidence of community transmission of Covid-19.

“As such, relaxing any guideline that promotes mass gatherings in any part of our nation now can only heighten and not flatten the curve of transmission dynamics.”

“We therefore pray all authorities concerned to rescind their decision in the interest of safety of lives and implore the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies ensure that such gatherings do not take place”, the statement added.

The NMA also called for thorough screening of the visiting Chinese medical team by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), and other relevant regulatory bodies.

“We call on all healthcare professionals to be wary of un-certified Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from China.

“We demand a thorough screening of the medical team of experts by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other relevant regulatory bodies to verify their status.

“We further call on the Federal Government to publish the names, designations/status and qualifications of the Chinese medical experts.’’

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has admonished some state governors to stop playing politics with the directives issued to contain the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) spreading across the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the admonition on Friday when he featured on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) programme, Good Morning Nigeria”.

Mohammed, who was giving update on efforts of the Presidential Task Force for the Control of Coronavirus at containing the pandemic, underscored the need for continued engagements with states and harmonisation of directives.

The Minister, a member of the task force said the kind of rifts and counter directives between some states and the federal government in the efforts to contain covid-19 were uncalled for and unnecessary.

Responding to a question on the controversy over the chopper that flew into Rivers State and the arrest of the pilots, Mohammed said such rift was uncalled for and people should stop politicising covid-19 fight.

“The Federal Government has responsibility to all Nigerians irrespective of the state they reside.

“A situation where the Federal Government needs exemption for certain category of people but the state government will not cooperate is not helpful.

“We will not succeed if there is no cooperation with the state governments,” he said.

Reacting to question on some state governors that have ordered the relax of stay at home order for Jumat and Easter festivities, the minister underscored the need for harmonisation of the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari for lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states.

“We have a very little window, and as of today, there is no known cure or vaccine for this disease all we have is Non Medicinal Intervention basically on prevention and management.

“We need the cooperation of the populace as a whole and they need to listen to what the Federal Government is saying.

“The whole essence of the lockdown is that by the time we lockdown for 14 days it is a presumption that whoever is incubating the virus must have manifested.

“However, people can contact the disease by not staying at home or not adhering to the hygiene instructions like washing of hands regularly, using hand sanitiser and social distancing,” he said.

It will be recalled that as parts of measures to check the spread of coronavirus, many states banned large gatherings and restricted movements.

However, despite the fact that covid-19 as at Thursday had spread to 17 states with 288 confirmed cases, 51 recovered and discharged patients and seven deaths; some states have relaxed the measures ahead of Easter and for Jumat prayers.

Specifically, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State approved the request of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state to observe the Easter Sunday worship in various churches across the state.

Similarly, Governor Nyisom Wike of Rivers State directed the Muslim to hold Jumat prayers and Churches to hold Easter service accross the state with full congregation.

Ebonyi State government relaxed ban on burials by giving those in the state between April 9 and April 20 to bury their dead.

Worshippers in the state are expected to attend their normal service only on Sunday for Christians and Friday for Muslims with effect from April 12.

Similarly, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State directed that the ban on religious gathering be lifted to allow for normal worship and services.

In Katsina state, Governor Aminu Masari directed that Muslim faithful will be allowed to observe their Juma’at prayers under strict health and security guidelines.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, on his part, relaxed interstate boundary closure, on the ground that it would allow for foodstuffs, drugs and vehicles conveying personnel on essential duty access the state.

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