COVID-19: PTF To Launch Transparency Initiative Dashboards

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has revealed
plans to launch the Transparency Initiative Dashboards to monitor
the infections in the country.

PTF Chairman, Mr Boss Mustapha, made the disclosure while
briefing reporters on Thursday in Abuja.

“This is a significant milestone because it puts valuable
information at the disposal of every Nigerians,” he said.

According to Mustapha, who is the Secretary to the Government of
the Federation (SGF), this explains the presence of the development
partners in the effort to curtail the spread of the disease in
Nigeria.

He noted that it was exactly six months ago that the Minister of
Health broke the news of Nigeria’s index case of coronavirus.

The PTF chairman added that the Federal Government had
immediately put in place containment measures to help meet the
challenge that had started crippling economies and exposed
inadequacies even in the best healthcare systems.

He also stated that Lagos, Kano and Ogun states were the initial
epicentres and then Oyo at a time, saying this has shifted to
Plateau State.

Read the full text of the SGF’s remarks at the PTF briefing
below:

REMARKS BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
FEDERATION/CHAIRMAN OF THE PTF-COVID-19 AT THE NATIONAL PRESS
BRIEFING OF THURSDAY 27th AUGUST, 2020

I welcome you all to the National Briefing by the Presidential
Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 for Thursday, 27th August 2020.

Exactly six months ago, on February 27, 2020, the Honourable
Minister of Health broke the news of Nigeria’s index case of
coronavirus from Ogun State.

Immediately after that announcement, knowing our parlous state
of health facilities, the Federal Government under the leadership
of President Muhammadu Buhari started putting in place containment
measures to help meet the challenge that had started crippling
economies and exposed inadequacies even in the best health
systems.

It is with all sense of modesty that I wish to state that
Nigeria has done remarkably well but could do exceedingly better as
captured in Mr President’s speech during the World Health
Certification-Free status for the African continent when he
expressed optimism on our fight against the pandemic I quote “At a
time when the global community is battling the COVID-19
pandemic….this achievement ( eradication of the polio virus)
strengthens my conviction that with the requisite political will,
investments and strategies, as well as citizens’ commitment, we
will flatten the curve”.

As we enter the last week of this extended eased lock-down phase
and note the impressively declining fatality ratio and reduction of
confirmed cases, the PTF would also like to draw our attention to a
subtle change in epicentre of the virus.

We all recall that Lagos, Kano and Ogun states were the initial
epicentres and this to Oyo at a time, and now Plateau State.

As mentioned by the Lagos State Commissioner of Health and a
notable COVID-19 warrior, Professor Akin Abayomi, Lagos has passed
its peak, but we call for vigilance and cautious optimism because
the scourge is not over yet. Our strategic objective still remains,
to test samples in high numbers across the entire nation.

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It is, therefore, in the above context that the PTF
re-emphasises her often repeated calls to every citizen to take
responsibility by complying with all guidelines and
non-pharmaceutical measures, including wearing of masks properly,
maintaining social distances, avoiding large gatherings,
maintaining regular hygienic practices and most important staying
at home for the most vulnerable.

As we keep to these simple protocols, our individual and
collective efforts at balancing lives and livelihoods would achieve
its intended benefits, especially now that we have opened a lot of
sectors and opening more sectors.

Recently, the National Bureau of Statistics released the Q2 2020
performance of the economy. It showed that the Gross Domestic
Products (GDP) slumped to -6.10% due to the impact of the COVID-19
on the oil market.

This underscores the impact of the pandemic on the global
economy. As we have often repeated, the pandemic also presents us
with opportunities and impetus for innovation, creativity and
industrial development.

For existing businesses of different sizes, we wish to remind
you that the government has approved an Economic Sustainability
Plan (ESP) containing stimulus packages for businesses to
access.

As we prepare to reopen the international airspace, therefore,
we are optimistic that the economy will continue to improve along
the value chain, as goods, services and passengers move across
borders.

The aviation sector, no doubt, provides a window to the world
and a shutdown of 23 straight weeks obviously impacted negatively
on the economy.

Today’s briefing has been packaged to underscore the level of
transparency with which the resources deployed for the fight
against COVID-19 have been used.

As part of this briefing, the PTF Transparency Initiative
Dashboards will be launched and that explains the presence of our
development partners. This is a significant milestone because it
puts valuable information at the disposal of every Nigerians.

The PTF wishes to use this opportunity to thank the increasing
number of discharged persons who have been sharing their
experiences, the print and electronic media that have been
supporting our Risk Communication and Community Engagement
strategies, as well as the numerous partners that are sustaining
the messaging.

I now call on the Honourable Minister of Health, DG, NCDC and
the National Coordinator to provide us with the technical
updates.

Immediately after the technical updates, the launch of the
Transparency Portals shall take place before we take your
questions.

I thank you so much for your attention and have a good
evening.

Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2020/08/28/covid-19-ptf-to-launch-transparency-initiative-dashboards/

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