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FCTA Task Team Releases Protester Who Violates Covid-19 Protocols

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

…Urges Them To Comply With All Covid-19 Health Protocols

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Wednesday released over 40 protesters who were arrested by the joint security personnel at Unity Fountain for violating the Covid-19 health protocols.

The violating protesters were arrested and brought before FCT Mobile Court for prosecution.

However, Magistrate Idayat Akanni, who was to preside over the case had several other cases in other court and couldn’t sit.

Speaking on behalf of the FCT Ministerial Task Team on Covid-19, comrade Ikharo Attah said they can protest and still be alive and those enforcing will do same and be alive. While urging them to conform with all Covid-19 protocols for the good of all.

Protesters that violated covid-19 protocol
Protesters that violated covid-19 protocol

He said that the protesters violated the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 guidelines of social and physical distancing and most of them were seen without face masks.

According to him; “About 40 of them have all been released and been tasked to always conform with Covid-19 whenever they are out to protest. Saying, You have the right to association, right to protest , a right to freedom of speech and expression but as you do all of this you must always conform to Covid-19 health protocols.

“The enforcement team went out in our normal routine operation and this time around and we made some arrest of some persons who came to protest and it is very clear that this is a democratic nation and everyone has the right to protest, to voice out but this must be done within the rules that governed the country and one of such rules is to obey the issues of Covid-19 , so they were brought to the Mobil court inline with Covid-19 violations.

“When there is protest, social distancing is very difficult to observe, so when they came to the court, the magistrate had several other cases in other court and couldn’t sit. And in our own wisdom, as person’s with listening hears, we talked to them, and it was agreed by all parties that they should go and observed all the laid down Covid-19 protocols before they will be released and they agreed to that do that”, he explained.

Earlier, the General Secretary, United Action for Democracy and a leading member of Take It Back Movement, Comrade Kunle Ajayi said they came out to protest for free functional and standard education and health before were we chased out , beating and brought before the court.

According to him; “We are here to lead the revolution and protest for free functional and standard education at all levels, free functional and advanced healthcare, a very good example is under this Covid-19 pandemic that we are in. Hospitals are not working, Doctors are on strike, a lot of things are wrong with the country. We decided to mobilize community by community, street by street for people to come out and tell the government that enough is enough. That Nigerians want better education, better healthcare and social welfare and topmost of it all is the issue of security. You cannot continue to do as if the country is a grave yard.

” As it is today in most part of this country, everybody is living without security. And that is why we Wondered , why we legally and constitutionally came to protest at the specific place that is assigned for protest in FCT, which is the Unity Fountain. We are in the place, with face mark and we observed social distancing and we came out to protest peacefully but we were chased out of the place not only are we chased out, we were beating out”, he said.

FG To Reduce COVID-19 Case Fatalities Rate From 2% To 1%

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Dr Osagie Ehanire
Minister of Health

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire has said that the objective of the Federal Government is to reduce case fatalities of Covid-19 to less than 1% from present 2%.

While adding that, they are working on innovative interventions with prospects of improving survival chances, especially for the elderly and those with co-morbidities.

Ehanire made this known in Monday at the Presidential Task Force briefing on Covid-19, saying, we will work with State governments to prepare necessary space and human resources at General hospitals or PHCs, to be trained for setting up at least one sample collection site at every LGA in due course, with efficient sample retrieval logistics to convey samples to laboratories.

He further stated that, for patients with significant clinical symptoms, we also plan the designation of Holding rooms at General hospitals, with facilities for oxygen administration, such as oxygen concentrators or from oxygen cylinders. Some investment in this strategy, known in Lagos State as oxygen kiosks, will be required, but the benefit, in lives saved, will be significant.

According to him; “As the course of the disease becomes clearer, experts are hazarding cautious guesses. The Director General of WHO has warned, for example, that COVID-19 could be with us for a long time. This means we are to consider adjusting to what has been described as the “new normal”, a way of life that is intended to reduce risk of infection, while allowing meaningful economic life to resume and citizens to restore their livelihoods.

“All members of PTF are aligned in the key role of non-pharmaceutical interventions in controlling new infections, because the measures are easy, cheap and proven to be effective, especially the wearing of masks and avoiding of crowds. I urge all citizens not to slacken in their adherence to these measures. We in the Health sector are key actors in the health related parts of the initiative.

“With regard to the covid-19 scene, Monday, 3rd August 2020, recorded 43,841 confirmed cases out of a total of 286,091 samples tested so far, while 20,308 persons have been treated and discharged. 888 persons have sadly been lost as a result of the COVID-19. No meaning can be read into this as yet. In comparison, the total number of positive covid-19 cases recorded in July was 17,457, out of a total of 154, 454 samples tested, with a positivity rate of 11.3%, as against the June 2020 figures of 19,149 positive cases from a total of 111,052 samples tested with a positivity rate of 17.2%. 6. Although it is far too early to draw conclusions, it is noteworthy that testing increased by over 40,000 in one month and the number of positive cases dropped by more than 2,000. But we must not rest on our oars: it is just suggestive of the fact that our strategy is not failing, and we must continue to sustain efforts.”

The Minister assured Health workers that we have no anxiety about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as we are reasonably well stocked with materials and commodities, which have been supplied to all sections of the country. At the directive of His Excellency the President, we were able to respond to the request of our neighbouring country of Sao Tome, for commodities for COVID-19 response. I also assure citizens that we are continuing to increase and optimize our laboratory diagnostic capacity, most recently in Zamfara, Kebbi, Yobe, Taraba, Gombe and Bayelsa States.

Nigeria joins the rest of the world this week to celebrate world breastfeeding week, marked annually from 1st to 7th of August to create awareness to the importance of breastfeeding. The theme of this year’s celebration is Support Breastfeeding for a healthier planet. It is a good time to emphasize this than at this time when the world is threatened by the pandemic. I wish to encourage all mothers to continue to breastfeed their babies. The Minister of Women Affairs and I will be having a joint press briefing tomorrow as part of activities to mark the week.

FG Flags Off Air Logistics Support For COVID-19 Medical Equipment from Nigeria to ECOWAS/WAHO

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Federal Government on Wednesday flagged off Air Logistics Support for COVID-19 Medical Equipment from Nigeria to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)/West African Health Organization (WAHO).

Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha said the role being played by Nigeria in the logistics support to distribute the medications and supplies is in the spirit of brotherhood.”

Represented by the Minister of State for Health, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the use of Nigeria Air Force to distribute the medical equipments to the beneficiary ECOWAS Countries.

Mamora noted that, President Muhammadu Buhari have within a short time, approved that NAF resources be deployed to assist in the airlift and distribution of the medical supplies of WAHO to the other West African Countries is the stuff of which a champion is made of and that “the role being played by Nigeria in the logistics support to distribute the medications and supplies is in the spirit of brotherhood.”

He, however, expressed optimism that it is the same spirit of brotherhood that they will see the sub-region to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic in no distant time.

Earlier, the Director General of WAHO, Prof. Stanley Okolo said the flag off became necessary because NAF plans to airlift the first batch of the consignments to countries starting by Wednesday, 5th August, 2020 and going in the following order:
Wednesday, 5th August: routing through Abuja – Abidjan – Bissau – Banjul – Dakar – Abuja;
Friday, 7th August: routing through Abuja – Lome – Monrovia Freetown – Conakry – Praia – Abuja;
Monday, 10th August: routing through Abuja – Niamey – Ouagadougou – Bamako – Cotonou – Lagos.

It would be recalled that WAHO on behalf of the ECOWAS member States procured some medical equipment to fight COVID-19 for the use of the member States. The cost of airlifting was jointly borne by member States and delivered to Abuja where it was stored up. The stock for Nigeria was recently taken delivery of whilst the rest was initially stored up at the Premier Medical Warehouse in Jabi, Abuja to be airlifted for distribution to the other Countries.

Flood: FCTA Demolishes Over 102 Houses In Gwagwalada

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced demolition of over 102 houses built along water ways in in Giri-Kpasere, along Airport Road, in Gwagwalada Area Council.

This is as a result of last week’s flood incident that claimed a family of 5 in the community.

FCT Department of Development Control said the illegal houses have been marked more than one year ago, and that government had given the residents enough time to move out of the flood prone areas.

The Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Department of Department Control, Garba Kwamkur said, government could not spare the houses anymore, following the recent forecast of more rains and consequential flooding that will affect the area.

He noted the community is part of the land covering about 260 hectares allocated within the Abuja Master Plan for the development of the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, but some indigenous people and other squatters are staying there temporarily.

According to him; ” the university has written to us about the encroachment issue. The settlement here that’s due for resettlement has grown beyond it’s boundary. And we have issue of flood some time last week, where five persons, who were carried away by the flood, were confirmed dead.

Look probe area in Gwagwalada
Look probe area in Gwagwalada

“We actually had to discuss it with the village leaders on the need to move away from the flood plain area. FEMA has also predicted that there would be heavy flood this year, so we are doing something like a precautionary measure, that’s why all the buildings along the flood plains will have to go.

” And all contravention notices have been givenas far back as last year (2019). No government will sit down and do nothing when the lives of its citizens are being threatened by either flood or any other thing.

Meanwhile, the Chief of the Community, Mr. Isah Egari who said he is not opposing the demolition of the houses built on the water ways, however, pleaded with government to give the residents more time to move out from the affected places.

Egari also called on the demolition team to restrict the bulldozers to the areas close to the water channels, so as to not impose undue hardship on other residents who were not affected.

School Resumption : FCTA To Shut Down Schools violating COVID 19 Protocols

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said it will shut down any school within the nation’s that violates the COVID 19 guidelines recommended for the safety of the exit students who resumed schools to prepare students for their examination.

The Chairman of the FCTA Ministerial TaskForce on COVID 19 Enforcement, Comrade Ikharo Attah who led the team to inspect some schools within the nation’s capital, hinted that the administration cannot afford to expose the students to the danger of contracting the dreaded coronavirus, and therefore will not compromise the guidelines for resumption of the schools.

He further hinted that, the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello has made it clear to heads of schools within the territory, that he is not ready to risk the life of any student or teacher , and therefore will not condone negligence in handling of the situation.

In his words ; “Any school, both public and private that fails to comply strictly to the guidelines would be shut down immediately, while their students will be transferred to other serious schools, while the management of such schools will be sanctioned appropriately.

” Any school that fails to comply, we will do everything within our power to safeguard the students. And such schools will likely be shut down through legal processes and the students will have to go and write exams somewhere else, pending when the school complies with the safety guidelines, and those responsible for The school mismanagement will be brought to book.

Attah continued; ” The FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello has been very clear about it, that he is not going to risk the life of any student or teacher. He said that everyone must come in within the context of safety”.

He, however, noted that most of the Public and Private schools his team visited to ascertain their level of compliance, had shown about 80 percent in their preparednes to the safety of students and teachers in their respective schools, by providing adequate hand washing hand points, sanitizer and decontaminated environment.

He said that, the compliance level at Ragina Pasis and Stella Maris, both private schools, Government Science and Technical College and some of the public schools within the city centre was commendable.

Attah also frowned at the attitude of the Heads of Model Junior Secondary School, located in Asokoro, for their failure to adequately prepare the school environment before the resumption.

He warned those defaulting to immediately make amend, he further stressed that the inspection will continue at the satellites towns tomorrow, because the administration Will not relent efforts to ensuring that the school environment was safe.

” From our own point it is already encouraging, in the sense that the schools we have been to, both government and private, if we assess them at a point of average, you will score them about 85 percent preparedness. They have complied. You could see hand washing points, hand sanitizer and there was also social distancing in their classrooms.

He added that, ” In some classes where they used to have about 80 students , have been reduced to 20 and 25 in some cases. In some of the schools, we also saw well equipped healthcare facilities. In some of the schools, we are also mot very happy and we have warned very strongly that they should brace up”.

Aliyu Assures Improved Budgetary Provisions For Physical Planning

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu. Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria.
Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu. Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria.

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, has assured members of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, that efforts would be made for improved budgetary provisions in 2021 budget.

This was in view of the critical roles town planners play through review and implementation of physical plans for satellite towns, urban renewal, and other levels of planning interventions.  

Aliyu, who gave this commitment when members of the topmost management of the planning profession paid her a courtesy visit in her office.

She, however,stressed that recent flooding in most parts of the territory could have been avoided if town planners were actively engaged in the physical planning of satellite towns and settlements.  

The minister who is also a town planner by profession frowned at the conflicts of roles between physical planners and engineers and other allied professionals, saying “this is an era to redefine the essence of town planning in Nigeria”.  

In her words ; “How can town planning not be given prominence and engineering takes precedence? And this what we faced as a professional body. The flooding which is unexpected is as a result of neglecting town planners. Perhaps, it is an opportunity for town planners to also sit together and see how they can salvage the situation.  

“However, in the FCT and with the approval of the FCT Minister, we set up an adhoc committee of town planners to go round the city to see what has been done and what is left undone. This is because if we continue to do the same thing again and again, we should not expect different result. I can tell you proudly that in the past, powers were usurped and realities are now telling on us. This is an era to redefine the essence of town planning in Nigeria”.  

She, therefore, appealed to members of the National Assembly to assist the profession for improved budgetary provisions for the implementation of physical plans for satellite towns and urban management.  

Earlier in his remarks, the leader of delegation and National President of  Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Tpl. Lekwa Ezutah, commended the minister for what he described as “demonstrated passion and commitment to the course of physical planning” in Nigeria particularly in the Federal Capital Territory since assumption of office as FCT Minister of State.  

While appreciating the efforts at creating the Directorate of Physical Planning in FCT Satellite Towns Development Department  (STDD), he implored the Directorate of Physical Planning be given the full latitude to exercise its functions instead of being subsumed under the Directorate of Engineering Services of the STDD, noting that such step would promote effective delivery of services by the Directorate.  

“We have observed that the FCT is in dire need for planners at all levels to facilitate organised development and achievement of the intents of the New Urban Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals and the provisions of the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law.  

“We recommend an aggressive manpower hunt for professional planners into the services of FCTA, provide adequate equipment for enforcement and improve the capacity of planners through training and retraining programmes either locally or international programmes,” he stressed.  

Ezutah, however, pledged the Institute readiness to be part of providing affordable housing for rural dwellers in the Federal Capital Territory.  

FCT Court Convicts Naira Marley, Fines Him N50,000 Per Count Charge

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Naira Marley

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mobile Court sitting in Abuja on Friday sentenced the popular music superstar, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, for violating the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Guidelines.

Naira Marley violated the Presidential Order in pursuant to Section 4 of the Quarantine Act, Cap. 02, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

He, however, pleaded guilty to the four count charge pressed on him by the prosecuting team.

While reading the four count charge, Magistrate Idayat Akanni, ordered Naira Marley to pay 50 thousand Naira for each of the count as well as publish a public apology to the Federal Government of Nigeria in a National Daily.

Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley
Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley

The four count charges include; violating Presidential ban on interstate travelling, not wearing of face mask contrary to the Presidential Order imposing compulsory wearing of face mask by all persons within Abuja the Federal Capital Territory, violating social distance order as well as violating dusk to dawn curfew in the territory.

It would, however be recalled that on Saturday, June 13, Naira Marley and his crew flew from Lagos State to Abuja to perform at a concert organized at Jabi Lake Mall.

While reacting to the judgment, the defender’s lawyer, Mohammad Yunusa, said that moving forward, “we will be very detailed and also confirm informations given to our clients by people who book him. Like in this instance, we were given the assurance that all the approvals from the government has been procured for him to be in Abuja and at the concert. It was on the strength of the representation that he came to Abuja to perform.”

He added that having gone through the trial, Naira Marley will henceforth be more focal in the advocacy for the adherence to the COVID-19 safety guidelines by all.

Similarly , the Prosecutor, Chief State Council for the Government, Udeme Umanah, explained that the offenses have a minimum fine of N2,000 and then the court has its own jurisdiction to impose a N50,000 fine per count since he (Naira Marley) have admitted liability.

On his part, the Chairman, FCT Ministerial Taskteam on COVID-19 Enforcement, Comrade Ikharo Attah , said “I think for those of us in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and those of us in the COVID-19 team, this has been a very long struggling matter. The artist himself today pleaded guilty that he broke the law and the Judge in her mercy was kind to give him N50,000 per each of the four count charge.

“We are telling people that they should learn to obey the law and do what is right. Regardless of what you think you are, you are subject to law and even if you run far and think time has overtaken the process of justice, that is not true. You can see that after like two months now, he has been brought to face the law. We thank the security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Police for actually picking him up and flying him into Abuja for this prosecution.”

World Hepatitis Day: 20 Million Nigerians Chronically Infected With Hepatitis, Says Ehanire

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Dr. Osagie Ehanire
Dr. Osagie Ehanire

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

Dr. Osagie Ehanire , the Minister of Health has revealed that about 20 million people in Nigeria are chronically infected with Hepatitis.

He also hinted that , government has committed a $3billion Nigeria Strategy on Immunization and PHC Systems Strengthening (NSIPSS) .This is our plan for transitioning to financial ownership of the immunization and primary health care system over a ten-year period, from 2018-2028.

He made this known in his message to commemorate the 2020 World Hepatitis Day and the launch of the of the guidelines for prevention of mother to child transmission of Hepatitis -B.

He stated that; “Nigeria is endemic for both viral hepatitis B and C. In 2018 Nigeria conducted a National AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey which showed a prevalence of 8.1% for Hepatitis B (HBV) and 1.1% for Hepatitis C (HCV). We could estimate that about 20 million people are chronically infected.

“We recognize the importance of vaccination as a critical intervention in our determination to eliminate HBV infection by 2030. In the light of this, Nigeria was one of the first African countries to introduce a birth dose of HBV vaccine in 2004. Furthermore, we established the National Viral Hepatitis Control programme in 2013, to coordinate all national efforts and through this, developed National documents, including policies, a strategic plan, guidelines, training materials and a treatment center directory, which are in use today. An important next step is establishing a routine surveillance system to improve on our reporting on the Global Hepatitis Surveillance systems (GHSS) platform.

“We are working in alignment with the Regional Resolution to reduce Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection to less than 2% in children under five years by the end of this year”, he explained.

The Minister added that, one of the major challenges of Hepatitis B birth dose vaccination was the inadequate domestic contribution to finance vaccines and expand access to services. In recent times, Nigeria has made important progress in this area.

Saying, we are committed to a $3billion Nigeria Strategy on Immunization and PHC Systems Strengthening (NSIPSS). This is our plan for transitioning to financial ownership of the immunization and primary health care system over a ten-year period, from 2018-2028.

All in all, the plan aims to address inequities in the uptake of routine vaccines and includes improvement of coverage for HBV Birth Dose. In 2019, HBV birth dose coverage was 59%. We hope to continue to increase coverage as we work towards elimination. It is important to note that Nigeria has not defaulted in its co-financing obligations of routine immunization implementation for the past 3 years, he stated.

He continued; “We have also worked on strengthening routine immunization through the establishment of a National Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Centre (NERICC) in 2017, and there have been several gains through the creation of this platform. For example, its heavy focus on supply chain management has helped to improve availability of vaccines at district and facility levels.

“We acknowledge the significant work that is required to address prevention of mother to child transmission of viral hepatitis. The robust policy on Reproductive Health, Maternal, New-born, and Child Health (RMNCH) to screen all pregnant mothers for HIV, syphilis and viral hepatitis presents a great opportunity that can be strengthened to improve prevention of mother to child transmission of viral hepatitis.”

The Minister , however, acknowledged the need to continue to build capacities of health care providers and expand social mobilization efforts especially during this pandemic. Together we can achieve a Hepatitis Free Future.

Executive, Legislature Reiterates Commitment Towards Completion Of Ajaokuta Steel

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Minister of Mines and Steel
Minister of Mines and Steel

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

Relief has come the way of the Ajaokuta Steel plant as the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite and National Assembly reiterated commitment towards the completion of the 41 years Steel plant.

Adegbite, while addressing the Senate leaders on over-sight visit to Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) revealed that both the Executive and the Legislature would ensure that Ajaokuta Steel Company is revived and made operational.

He, however, added that; there is a bright future for all Nigerians when the complex is restored and starts producing at its optimal installed capacity.

Adegbite further noted that ; the COVID-19 pandemic had limited government’s ability to go forward on the Ajaokuta Steel project, saying, it was four to five months behind its planned schedule to revive the complex.

This, he said, was specifically because Russian experts who were to undertake the complex’s technical audit could not come into the country because of the corona virus pandemic and the ban on international flights. He noted that the complexity of the Ajaokuta Steel Company would make an online audit impossible as people had to be physically present.

He hinted that the technical audit that was being planned for Ajaokuta Steel Company by the Federal Government would also be done at NIOMCO. “We have the same purpose and we are focused that this project is delivered to the benefit of Nigerians, the people of Kogi and to the glory of God,” he said.

He said the Federal Government sees NIOMCO and Ajaokuta Steel Company as a conjoined-twin that could not be separated and that the Federal Government would rely on money pledged by Russians and Afrexim bank to fix both Ajaokuta Steel Complex and NIOMCO.

Adegbite, said both the Executive and the Legislature would ensure that ASCL and NIOMCO become operational before long.

According to him; “We have the same purpose and we are focused that this project is delivered to the benefit of Nigerians, the people of Kogi and to the glory of God,” he emphasized.

Similarly , the Senate Leader, Sen Abdulahi Yahaya who was accompanied by the Senate Committee Chairman on Solid Mineral, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Sen. Tanks Al-Makura and other Senate leaders said National Assembly would ensure that efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari to revive ASCL and NIOMCO come to fruition.

In the same vein, the Committee Chairman, Sen. Tanko Almakura, said Senate leaders were on a fact finding mission in the State to ascertain the situation of things at ASCL and NIOMCO and ensure they commence production within shortest possible time

Sen Al-Makura said the technical audit remains paramount and cardinal towards the successful take off of ASCL and NIOMCO.

Earlier , the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Edward Onoja who received the delegations on behalf of the State Governor expressed hope that with the renewed commitment of the Federal Government to resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel Company, it would be fully operational before the tenure of the present administration ends.

The Sole Administrator of NIOMCO, Itakpe, Mr. Augustus Nkechika while receiving the delegations stressed the need to fully complete the rehabilitation of the company’s plants and acquire additional mining equipment before the planned resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel Company by the Federal Government.

Nkechika said NIOMCO’s mandate to provide basic raw materials for iron and steel production makes it strategic to the country as the company is expected to supply Ajaokuta Steel Company with 2.15 million tonnes of iron ore concentrate and other raw materials.

The Sole Administrator of Ajaokuta, Engr. Sumaila Akaaba is hopeful that the completion of Ajaokuta would be realistic before the end of President Buhari’s regime as he said the commitment of the present administration to making the steel plant work is unrivalled.

The Ajaokuta Steel complex conceived in 1976, was aimed at establishing a metallurgical process plant and engineering complex with other facilities which is meant to generate important upstream and downstream industrial and economic activities that are critical to the industrialization of Nigeria.

Covid-19: 60 PCR Public Health Laboratories Now In Nigeria

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
Dr Osagie Ehanire
Minister of Health

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

Dr. Osagie Ehanire , the Minister of Health has said that, 60 PCR Public Health laboratories are now active in Nigeria.

While adding that, this will address testing capacity challenges and ramp up utilization if only the logistics could be improved. This, along with sheer community spread, be responsible for the rising trajectory of the epidemic curve in the population tested so far.

The Minister made this known at the Presidential Task Force briefing on Covid-19 where he added that with 262,579 persons that have been tested, we have crossed the quarter million mark when the epidemic curve will begin to flatten is still a matter of conjecture, given the relatively small fraction of our population that has been tested so far.

According to him, “The 70 to 30 male to female gender ratio and the case fatality rate of 2.1% have not changed significantly. Two thirds of all fatalities remain in the over 50 year age group, while comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, etc, are common among all fatalities. They underscore the need to protect senior citizens and the vulnerable from infection, by giving special attention to risk communication and priority for admission for observation and treatment. Of utmost concern are still the asymptomatic cases, with the potential to spread the disease, of whom the young and able bodied can be difficult to manage.

“We continue to strive to improve the quality of services in our hospitals as more persons are admitted to treatment, not only for Covid-19 infection, but also for routine and essential care. It is also our desire to reduce the fatality rates, and expand our treatment capacity such that our Health System is not overwhelmed. In this regard, the FMoH expects to take delivery of the newly completed Isolation Center at UATH Gwagwalada, as other centers are under construction nationwide.”

He further stated that, the UN System in Nigeria informed us of the arrival of another consignment of essential COVID-19 related commodities yesterday, to be officially handed over to us. We remain appreciative of the UN System for this gesture and their consistent support, which greatly increases our reserves and recognizes our needs, especially of oxygen concentrators and PPEs, but also reassures our frontline health workers that we are well stocked and can ensure availability of essential items and consumables at point of use. I use this opportunity to formally introduce the Country Representative of the World Health Organization Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, who assumed duty here with us in Abuja some days ago, and wish him successful tenure, despite the challenging times.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria crossed the 40,000 mark to 40,534 over the weekend, with 555 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours, of which 17,374 have been successfully treated and discharged. We have regrettably lost 858 persons, most of them with co-morbidities.

He also used the opportunity to salute our frontline health workers, whose service helps reduce fatality. I urge them to continue their work in line with global best practices in case management and to keep themselves safe and take no risks. Coronavirus does not respect doctors or nurses.

As Salah approaches, I again wish all our Muslim brethren a happy celebration and enjoin all persons not to forget prescribed precautions and to reduce risk of transmission even as we celebrate. Wear your face mask at all times, especially when out of your homes; wash hands regularly; use sanitizers, practice distancing, I again remind everyone that controlling the spread of covid19 is not the responsibility of government alone, but of us all, individually and collectively.

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