Following scary reports of COVID 19 from across the world and the lackadaisical attitude of most Nigerians over the pandemic, Abuja Concerned Citizens’ Forum (ACCF), has cautioned the Federal Government on the urgent need to take the issue of providing palliatives to the vulnerable and effectively lockdown the country.
As with liberty, the price of peace is vigilance, the ACCF warned, adding that the description of Corona Virus as a scam by some religious bigots and other interest groups and the FGs half hearted measures could spell doom for the country.
This, the ACCF believes, may be the only available option to prevent the spread of COVID 19 in Nigeria.
The latest reports from Abuja, Lagos, Oyo, Kwara and other flashpoint states, indicates clearly that there is fire on the mountain, which to all intents and purposes, makes mockery of the lip service by the Federal Government and other levels of government.
“For everyone who thinks that confirmed cases of COVID 19 in Nigeria at 256 as at today (April 8, 2020) is not serious,should take a look at the figures below and ponder over it”, the ACCF noted.
ITALY
Feb. 21,2020 = 21 Cases
March 27,2020 = 86,498 Cases
US
Feb. 21,2020 =16 Cases
March 27,2020 =100,037 Cases
FRANCE
Feb. 26,2020 =18 Cases
March 27,2020 =32,964 Cases
GERMANY
Feb. 25,2020 =18 Cases
March 27,2020 =50,178 Cases
SPAIN
Feb. 27,2020 =25 Cases
March 27,2020 =64,059 Cases
IRAN
Feb. 19,2020 =5 Cases
March 27,2020 =32,332 Cases
SOUTH AFRICA
March 1,2020 =1 Case
March 27,2020 =1,170 Cases
According to ACCF, Nigeria is curiously where these countries were in the last 3-4 weeks and we can easily get to where they are right now, if not exceed this horrifying figures.
This becomes imperative, if countries with better healthcare facilities and well structured system are overwhelmed, one only imagines what will befall Nigeria if we have a full blown COVID -19 on our hands.
Latest reports from the UK regrettably indicated that over 900 deaths may have recorded daily, every morgue is full, as more bodies are being sent to cold room facilities.
While appealing to Nigerians on the need to break the chain of transmission by staying at home as the only antidote in our present situation to stop the spread, the ACCF strongly advised the Federal Government to do the needful by ensuring strict compliance by way of adequate institutional framework to enforce the lockdown. Besides, the phantom disbursement of over N5Billion by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Customs release of over N3B seized food items should be looked into, with the view to adequately make provisions for the masses, most of who live from hand to mouth, the ACCF noted.
Rachel Ogbonna Spokesperson, ACCF