PDP Reps knock Buhari handling of COVID-19 pandemic

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives caucus has described the handling of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by the Buhari administration as poor, lacklustre and a show of disdain for the safety of Nigerians.
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Leader of the PDP House caucus, Rep. Kingsley Chinda made the scathing observations in a statement released in Abuja.

Rep. Chinda stated that since the country reported its index case, the Buhari administration has failed in approximately, responding to the pandemic, neither has the federal government thought it expedient to address Nigerians to assure them of government’s commitment to protect them in such a frightening situation.

Also, the PDP House caucus lambasted the the President for not taking any firm and positive palliative measures to cushion the effects of the pandemic on vulnerable citizens.

The caucus further said Buhari has failed to heed calls by Nigerians and the Senate to offer words of assurance and to lead the battle against the coronavirus pandemic from the front. 

“İt is saddening to note that while governments of other countries have braced up to the challenges of the outbreak of the deadly virus, and provided their citizens palliative measures to cushion the effects of the shutdown, Nigeria is yet to come up with any tangible plan for its citizens.

“Also, taking into account the ravaging effects of the virus on the health of the people, responsive leaders in addition to shutting their borders to other countries, have consistently addressed and reassured their citizens.

“The Nigerian President remains tight-lipped and missing in action, even as it took public outcry for the federal government to impose travel restrictions on 13 countries with over 1, 000 coronavirus cases despite the gradual and steady increase in the number of infected persons in the country,” the caucus asserted.

Commenting on the reduction in the pump price of petrol from N145 to N125 per line, the PDP House caucus said this intervention is cosmetic and cannot offer succour for the pending hardship Nigerians, especially the poor are likely to suffer following the devastating effects of the pandemic on the nation’s economy.

“Consequently, we call on the President to as a matter of urgencyaddress the nation and reassure Nigerians on our state of preparedness and for once, lead a public battle from the front.

“Open up free testing and treatment centres in all zones in the country,  step down VAT and make reasonable reduction in the pump price of fuel to a sum prorated to the reduction in crude oil prices.

“Make electricity available and free for citizens within the period and disburse N5 billion as business loans in every state to stimulate SMEs and business in the country,” the caucus demanded.