President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that all measures the government is adopting to fight the COVID-19 pandemic would not affect food supplies or deny the citizenry access to medical supplies and other basic needs.
According to a statement on Thursday, by Mr. Garba Shehu, Senior Assistant to Buhari on Media and Publicity, the president also advised against panicky reactions to the pandemic, assuring that the government was doing all it could to tackle it.
“Buhari commended the unity of purpose in fighting the spread of COVID-19 in the country, “particularly the willingness for self-isolation, social distancing, and contributions of public spirited individuals and institutions who consistently mobilise resources to supplement efforts of Federal and State governments,” Shehu stated.
Buhari also extolled state governments, religious bodies, health workers, federal government agencies, “including security outfits, National Centre for Disease Control and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria for rising to the occasion to protect the country and its citizens.”
He gave the assurance that the government would remain steadfast in deploying more resources to lessen the burden of the pandemic.
The president, who called for more compliance with regulations and restrictions on movement and gatherings for the safety of all citizens, further reassured that government directives would “not affect production and distribution of food, medications, medical equipment and other essentials as the nation wades through the global health challenge, which already portends dire economic strains.”
Buhari directed all relevant agencies and regulators to provide enabling environment for industries to sustain their operations by ensuring reasonable access to industrial supplies and inputs like water, fuel, gas and essential infrastructure.
He also called for the relaxing of stringent laws, “commending the Central Bank of Nigeria and commercial banks for the interventions to make forex and credit more accessible to those on the manufacturing line.”
