Why Buhari extends mandate of PTF on COVID-19 till next year

*President Muhammadu Buhari says he has critically evaluated the situation, and remained convinced that urgent measures needed to be taken to curb the spread of COVID-19 and the attendant fatalities

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In view of the recent surge in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and the government’s attempt to get vaccines for immunising Nigerians against the damaging virus, President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the mandate of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 till March 2021.

ConsumerConnect reports Buhari gave the Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at a meeting with members of the task force at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, FCT.

The President on the occasion received the end-of-year report of the PTF on COVID-19, led by Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Task Force.

The mandate of the PTF was extended for a further period of three months, bearing in mind the new surge in the number of cases and the bid for vaccines, said Buhari.

He said recent reports had shown that the country is facing an increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases, a situation that is similar to the second wave of infections recorded in other countries of the world.

He observed that new epicentres have been identified, and Nigeria cannot afford to lose the gains of the last nine months since the outbreak of the Coronavirus in the country.

The President said he had critically evaluated the situation and remained convinced that urgent measures needed to be taken to curb the spread and the resultant fatalities.

According to him, this necessitated the need to speedily and strategically access and administer the COVID-19 vaccine in a safe, effective, and timely manner.

The President also noted that successes recorded by the PTF in managing the control of the pandemic since March 2020 are largely attributable to the multi-sectoral approach adopted by the government, the proactive steps taken, and the commitment of its members.

“I wish to acknowledge the immeasurable support received from the National Assembly, state governments, the private sector coalition, the international community, development partners, well-meaning Nigerians who donated in cash and kind and also made sacrifices, the media organisations, security agencies, and the frontline workers who toiled day and night as our last line of defence.

“The list is endless. Our gratitude is endless.

Buhari said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, I thank you one and all for your support and contributions to this National Response to a global emergency.”

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