FG Fumes At Chaotic Scenes After Easing Of Lockdown

President Buhari

ABUJA - Condemnation has trailed the chaotic scenes recorded at some banks and other financial institutions in some states of the federation on the first day the Federal Government eased the lockdown in some states.

The Federal Government had relaxed the lockdown ear­lier imposed on Lagos, Ogun, and the Federal Capital Ter­ritory (FCT) on May 4 as part of measures to control the spread of the virus.

Despite its concerns for the health and wellbeing of the citizens, the government was also under pressure to partially open up the econo­my, especially with the drop in prices of oil at the interna­tional market.

Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Fed­eration and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, condemned the ob­served breaches on Monday at the daily briefing session in Abuja.

According to the PTF chairman, the danger of the coronavirus infection was not over and individual ac­tions would contribute to the success or failure of measures put in place to control it.

“The PTF has been mon­itoring the level of compli­ance with some of the mea­sures and early observations showed lack of compliance with social distancing and wearing of masks. We note particularly the chaotic scenes around banks and other financial institutions.

“As we journey into this new phase of measures, it is imperative that I reiterate the importance of adherence to the guidelines more so that preliminary reports indicate that there is observable high level of breaches by the citi­zenry.

“We must reiterate that the danger of infection is not over and that individual actions will contribute to the success or failure of our measures.

“We urge citizens to mini­mise the risk of getting infect­ed while trying to transact in the banks. We similarly urge the banks to ensure that their ATMs and online banking systems are in good order and stocked regularly to avoid convergence of customers in their premises.

“The PTF fully under­stands the desire of Nigerians to come out to continue their lives after five weeks of lock­down,” he noted.

Mustapha said even though the lockdown was be­ing relaxed in phases, it was not compulsory for Nigerians to be moving all about when they don’t have pressing needs to meet.

He warned that security agencies had been mandated to enforce the easing off mea­sures and those not permitted to move freely for now would be dealt with appropriately.

©Daily Independent