The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and
chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee, (PSC) on COVID-19,
Mr Boss Mustapha, has clarified misrepresentation in the briefing
of the PSC on Monday.
![image](/2020/10/lawreport.jpg")
![image](/2021/05/store.Nairalaw.jpg")
Mustapha, who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday
in Abuja, said it was erroneously reported that the federal
government had re-introduced nationwide curfew between 12 a.m. and
4 a.m. as part of the COVID-19 safety protocols.
![image](/2021/01/payne-alex.jpg")
He, however, said the announcement by the National Incident
Manager, Dr. Mukhtar Mohammed, during the PSC press briefing was
taken out of context because the federal government did not relax
the curfew imposed earlier under Phase Three of the eased
lockdown.
Rather, he explained that what Mohammed said was that the
federal government was maintaining the curfew under the Phase Four
of the phased restriction of movement.
“Under the Fourth Phase of restriction of movement, night clubs,
gyms and others will remain closed till further notice; while all
citizens will also ensure that mass gatherings outside work
settings do not exceed maximum of 50 people in an enclosed
space.
“These restrictions have been in existence under the Third Phase
but are being maintained under the Phase Four of the phased
restriction of movement,” said the SGF.
He further said because people had been violating the safety
protocols, they had forgotten that the protocols were never relaxed
in the first place.
“Therefore, the PSC hereby reiterates that there is no newly
introduced lockdown. There is no need for the panic that followed
the announcement of the Fourth Phase of the phased restriction of
movement.
“We will continue to appeal to members of the public to comply
with these restrictions because they are necessary safety measures
against contracting the dreaded coronavirus, which is still
ravaging human populations across the world,” said Mustapha.
NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the
transition of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to PSC
on COVID-19, which took effective from April 1, with a modified
mandate to reflect the non-emergent status of COVID-19 as a
potentially long-term pandemic.
“The structure of the PSC shall reflect the new focus of the
response with a targeted approach on vaccine oversight, risk
communication, international travel quarantine processes, and
sub-national engagement; and that the tenure of the PSC shall last
till 31 December, 2021,” said the president.
He added that the PSC would maintain the present constitution,
functions and strategies of the PTF; be supported by a slim
technical and administrative structure.
Mohammed is expected to formally take over from the National
Coordinator, Dr. Sani Aliyu, and function as the Head (Technical
Secretariat) and member of the PSC. (NAN)
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and
chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee, (PSC) on COVID-19,
Mr Boss Mustapha, has clarified misrepresentation in the briefing
of the PSC on Monday.
Mustapha, who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday
in Abuja, said it was erroneously reported that the federal
government had re-introduced nationwide curfew between 12 a.m. and
4 a.m. as part of the COVID-19 safety protocols.
He, however, said the announcement by the National Incident
Manager, Dr. Mukhtar Mohammed, during the PSC press briefing was
taken out of context because the federal government did not relax
the curfew imposed earlier under Phase Three of the eased
lockdown.
Rather, he explained that what Mohammed said was that the
federal government was maintaining the curfew under the Phase Four
of the phased restriction of movement.
“Under the Fourth Phase of restriction of movement, night clubs,
gyms and others will remain closed till further notice; while all
citizens will also ensure that mass gatherings outside work
settings do not exceed maximum of 50 people in an enclosed
space.
“These restrictions have been in existence under the Third Phase
but are being maintained under the Phase Four of the phased
restriction of movement,” said the SGF.
He further said because people had been violating the safety
protocols, they had forgotten that the protocols were never relaxed
in the first place.
“Therefore, the PSC hereby reiterates that there is no newly
introduced lockdown. There is no need for the panic that followed
the announcement of the Fourth Phase of the phased restriction of
movement.
“We will continue to appeal to members of the public to comply
with these restrictions because they are necessary safety measures
against contracting the dreaded coronavirus, which is still
ravaging human populations across the world,” said Mustapha.
NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the
transition of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to PSC
on COVID-19, which took effective from April 1, with a modified
mandate to reflect the non-emergent status of COVID-19 as a
potentially long-term pandemic.
“The structure of the PSC shall reflect the new focus of the
response with a targeted approach on vaccine oversight, risk
communication, international travel quarantine processes, and
sub-national engagement; and that the tenure of the PSC shall last
till 31 December, 2021,” said the president.
He added that the PSC would maintain the present constitution,
functions and strategies of the PTF; be supported by a slim
technical and administrative structure.
Mohammed is expected to formally take over from the National
Coordinator, Dr. Sani Aliyu, and function as the Head (Technical
Secretariat) and member of the PSC. (NAN)