By BLESSING OKEZIE, Lagos
The federal government has directed the ministry of industry, Trade and Investment to collaborate with other aligning ministries of Communication and Digital Economy; Science and Technology; transportation; Labour and productivity in ensuring that the nation’s economy adapts to new realities brought to bear on the lives of the people by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic through the development of a comprehensive policy that will keep the economy functioning.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who gave the directive during his nationwide broadcast on the COVID-19 lockdown on Lagos, Ogun States and FCT Monday, also directed the presidential Task Force on Coronavirus to expand the current social register from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households during the fresh two weeks lockdown.
“No country can afford the full impact of a sustained restriction of movement on its economy. I am fully aware of the great difficulties experienced especially by those who earn a daily wage such as traders, day workers, artisans and manual workers.
“For this group, their sustenance depends on their ability to go out. Their livelihoods depend on them mingling with others and about seeking work. But despite these realities we must not change the restrictions.
“In the past two weeks, we announced palliative measures such as food distribution, cash transfers and loans repayment waivers to ease the pains of our restrictive policies during this difficult time. These palliatives will be sustained.
“I have also directed that the current social register be expanded from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks. This means we will support an additional one million homes with our social investment programs. A technical committee is working on this and will submit a report to me by the end of this week”, he said.
Buhari said the Ministers manning the aforementioned ministries will be supported by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and Economic Sustainability Committee in executing their new mandates.
He also directed the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Security Adviser, the Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council and the Chairman, Presidential Fertiliser Initiative to work with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to ensure the minimization of impact of the pandemic on 2020 farming season.
He urged Nigerians to follow the instructions on social distancing pointing out that the irresponsibility of the few can lead to the death of the many.
“As a result of this pandemic, the world as we know it has changed. The way we interact with each other, conduct our businesses and trade, travel, educate our children and earn our livelihoods will be different.
”Your freedom ends where other people’s rights begin.
“The Security Agencies have risen to the challenges posed by this unprecedented situation with gallantry and I commend them. I urge them to continue to maintain utmost vigilance, firmness as well as restraint in enforcing the restriction orders while not neglecting statutory security responsibilities.
“The response of our state governors has been particularly impressive, especially in aligning their policies and actions to those of the Federal Government.
“In the coming weeks, I want to assure you that the federal government, through the Presidential Task Force, will do whatever it takes to support you in this very difficult period. I have no doubt that, by working together and carefully following the rules, we shall get over this pandemic”, he assured.
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