COVID-19: NGF
COVID-19: NGF Concerns over Reception of New Prison
Inmates, Ramp up risk communication and community
testing
ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 16th TELECONFERENCE MEETING OF THE
NIGERIA GOVERNORS’ FORUM HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 2nd SEPTEMBER 2020
We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our meeting
held on Septembder 2, 2020 deliberated on issues affecting the
country especially the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. The NGF Chairman provided the following updates:
a. Disbursement of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF)
facility to eligible States has been approved by the Ministry of
Health to safeguard government interventions in primary health care
service delivery during the pandemic.
b. The Forum received a Rotary International Polio Certification
Award for its role in eradicating polio in Nigeria. The Forum had
made polio a permanent item on its agenda for at least 18 months
and was instrumental in maintaining high political commitment and
coordination for routine immunization in all parts of the
country.
c. Governors received updates on the status of pending COVID-19
interventions for States. Governors were concerned by the delay in
the release of the results of the SMART survey conducted for the
Saving One Million Lives Performance for Results (SOML-PforR)
Project.
2. The Forum also received the following updates and
presentations:
a. The NGF Legal Committee led by the Vice Chairman of the
Forum, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, updated
members on consultations with the Attorney General of the
Federation to resolve concerns on the implementation of the
Executive Order #10. A Technical Committee comprising members from
all parties has been working to finalize an acceptable framework
for the implementation of the Order.
b. The Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa,
Chairman of the NGF Sub-Committee interfacing with the Presidential
Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 in his update highlighted the
importance of continued and increased testing in all States as the
economy opens. He called on States to take ownership of the
COVID-19 response, especially with the expected winding of the PTF
by the end of September 2020. Low testing rates at any time will
make it difficult to track the correct status of the pandemic in
the country thus making it difficult to make important decisions
like opening of schools, NYSC camps, holding elections etc.
c. The Task Team Leader for the World Bank States Fiscal
Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme,
Yue Man Lee provided an update of the SFTAS programme and near-term
action for State governments. The presentation also introduced a
new technical assistance programme by the World Bank to support
States in updating the property records of at least 50% of
properties that have electricity connections in Urban Areas by June
30, 2021.
Thereafter, members of the Forum resolved as follows:
1. In the light of Rotary’s recognition of the Forum’s role in
ending the polio pandemic in the country, governors are called to
maintain vigilance to ensure that the structures put in place for
routine immunization are not jeopardized by the COVID-19
pandemic.
2. The Forum commended the World Bank for the new initiative to
support States in updating their property records. Some States are
already in advanced stages of developing a geographic information
system (GIS) that will help them gather, manage and analyze
geospatial data both for the purpose of spacial planning and
property taxation.
3. All State governments through their Internal Revenue Services
will ensure the seamless implementation of tax relief programmes
for businesses and taxpayers. These programmes which were released
in some States since March 2020 are designed to reduce the
financial burden of taxpayers in the country up till 2021 in some
cases.
4. The Forum through its Sub-Committee interfacing with the
Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 will address concerns
raised by States on the reception of new inmates amidst measures
taken to curtail the spread of COVID-19 across correctional
facilities in the country.
5. The Forum resolved to provide leadership to the COVID 19
response in their respective States by ramping up risk
communication activities and community testing for COVID-19.
6. Finally, State governments were called to nominate focal
persons that will interface with the Ministry of Petroleum
Resources on the actualization of the National Gas Expansion
Programme (NGEP). The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources,
Timipre Sylva had addressed the Forum in July 2020 on the NGEP
which is designed as a catalyst for Nigeria’s vast natural gas
reserves. The plan will spur revitalization across gas-based
industries in fertilizer, methanol, textiles and feedstock for
industries among others.
Governor Kayode Fayemi
Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum
22nd July 2020