04082020 - Insecurity situation rapidly worsening — GOVERNORS

COMMENDATION:
From left—
G o v e r n o r
Adegboyega
Oyetola of Osun
State, his Deputy,
Benedict Alabi;
Secretary to the
State Government,
Prince Wole
Oyebamiji, being
welcomed by the
son of the deceased
Justice Obafemi
Fasanmi, at the All
Saints Anglican
Church, Osogbo,
during the
Commendation
Service on behalf
of the late Senator
Ayo Fasanmi,
yesterday.
:Vanguard
News
COVID-19: FG to open sample collection
centres, says Nigeria can’t risk another
lockdown
By Chioma
Obinna, Omeiza
Ajayi & Gabriel
Olawale
ABUJA—The Federal
Government yesterday
stated its resolve to reduce
COVID-19 case fatalities in
the country, announcing its
decision to partner subnational
entities to establish
sample collection centres
across the 774 local
government areas in
Nigeria.
It also said Nigeria
cannot risk another
lockdown, saying the
economy was bound to
collapse and lead to death
of more people.
The government equally
said it would soon conclude
discussions with the
Independent National
Electoral Commission,
INEC, on appropriate
guidelines to be adopted for
the forthcoming
governorship elections in
Edo and Ondo states, even
as it said there would be an
ongoing surveillance in the
high-burden local
government areas.
Chairman of the PTF and
Secretary to the
Government of the
Federation SGF, Mr Boss
Mustapha, who disclosed
this during the briefing of
the Task Force in Abuja
yesterday, said: “The
National Response would
continue to guide the
adoption of sector specific
guidelines and protocols.
‘’The PTF is currently
concluding discussions
with the Independent
National Electoral
Commission, INEC, on
appropriate guidelines to
be adopted for elections
beginning with the August
8 by-election in Nasarawa
State to be followed by those
for Edo and Ondo states in
September and October
respectively.
‘’I, therefore, wish to use
Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2020 — 7
:@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058
•PTF, INEC developing guidelines for elections
•Places high burden LGAs on surveillance
this opportunity to implore
party leaders, aspirants,
members and supporters to
remain mindful of the
virulent nature of COVID-
19 during electioneering
campaigns and other
election processes. We
need to remain alive to
enjoy the benefits of our
democracy.
“The PTF continues to
push forward with
community engagement,
risk communication and
support to states. There is
an on-going surveillance in
the high burden local
government areas, just as
we ramp up our precision
efforts. Similarly, the
Federal Government is
supporting the states to firm
up their Incidence Action
Plans preparatory to their
accessing the World Bank
facility for the fight against
COVID-19.
“Similarly, we informed
you about the date that exit
examination classes in
schools would reopen,
preparatory to the
commencement of
examination. I wish to
restate that the education
sector is critical for the
development of our
children and our nation.
‘’Reopening the sector is
also a source of concern
based on the fact that the
school system remains a
veritable ground for
increasing community
transmission if appropriate
protocols are not put in
place and more importantly
adhered to.
‘’In this regard, the PTF
wishes to implore
stakeholders to ensure that
the agreed protocols are put
in place and measures
strictly adhered to.’’
Case fatalities
Minister of Health, Dr
Osagie Ehanire, said the
federal government would
work with states to open
sample collection points in
General Hospitals or
Primary Healthcare
Centres in the local
governments.
According to him, there
are plans to also have
sample holding rooms in
General Hospitals to stop
incidences of rejection of
patients by hospitals.
He said: “Our objective
is to reduce case fatalities
to less than 1 per cent from
present 2 per cent, and we
are working on innovative
interventions with prospects
of improving survival
chances, especially for the
elderly and those with comorbidities.
“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 in
every LGA in due course,
with efficient sample
retrieval logistics to convey
samples to laboratories.
‘’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. All these may
sound ambitious, but we
must face the stark reality
that COVID-19 will also
spread to small towns and
rural areas, and so begin
to prepare structures to
respond to the challenge.
Can’t risk another
lockdown
National Coordinator of
the Task Force, Dr Sani
Aliyu, urged Nigerians to
ensure compliance with all
safety protocols, noting that
the country could not risk
another lockdown.
He said: “It is quite clear
as we can see from other
parts of the world that
certain countries are now
going back into lockdown
because of the pandemic
coming back again. In
other
words,
recrudescence, what we
call a second wave.
‘’We really cannot afford
to have this happen in this
country. It will destroy our
economy and it will lead to
a lot of deaths. Therefore,
we have to reopen safely.
We cannot risk another
shut down nor can we risk
having more lives being
lost.’’
226 vaccines in
development
Director General,
Nigerian Centre for
Disease Control NCDC, Dr
Chikwe Iheakwazu said
there were currently 226
vaccine candidates at
different stages of
development.
He said Nigeria was
working with relevant
partners to ensure that
when a vaccine becomes
available, the country
would have access to it.
“Normally, vaccine
development takes
anywhere between 10
months and two years. Yet
we have made incredible
progress in the last six
months. The most
recognised vaccine tracker
by the London School of
Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine shows that there
are about 226 vaccine
candidates right now at
different stages of
development. So far, preclinical
and early data is
encouraging.’’
NDDC, EFCC, NSITF probes:
Don’t stampede Buhari,
Presidency tells TUC
....Says threat to embark on protest
uncalled for
By Johnbosco
Agbakwuru
A Presidency BUJA—THE
yesterday
told the Trade Union
Congress, TUC, not to
stampede President
Muhammadu Buhari with
the threat to embark on a
nationwide protest over
alleged President’s
inaction on the high level
of corruption uncovered at
the Niger Delta
Development Commission,
NDDC, the Nigeria Social
Insurance Trust Fund,
NSITF, and the Economic
and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC.
It also noted that the
planned nationwide protest
by the TUC was uncalled
for as the various
investigative panels
looking into the infractions
were yet to round off and
submit their reports.
In a statement issued by
the Senior Special Assistant
to the President on Media
and Publicity, Mallam
Garba Shehu in Abuja, the
Presidency said the
ongoing investigation
processes should be
allowed to run their full
courses.
It further said that those
found culpable would face
the full wrath of the law.
The Presidency in the
statement advised the labour
union to join hands with
President Buhari in the fight
against corruption.
The statement read: “The
reported plan by the Trade Union
Congress, TUC, to embark on a
nationwide protest over the
alleged President Buhari’s
“inaction over the high-level of
corruption uncovered at the
Niger Delta Development
Commission, NDDC, the Nigeria
Social Insurance Trust Fund,
NSITF, and the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC,” is ill advised and totally
uncalled for, considering that
there are ongoing investigations
in the cases by both the executive
and legislative arms of
government.
“These processes must be
allowed to run their full courses.
It is against the norm in a
democratic society as well as the
natural laws of justice to seek
action, meaning punishment
against offenders before proper
investigation, trial and conviction.
“The President has made
it clear that the allegations
that have surfaced clearly
constitute a breach of trust
and as the investigations
take hold and close out, all
those found wanting will
face the wrath of the law."
Shoprite debunks exit rumour,
vows not to leave Nigeria
By Princewill
Ekwujuru
SHOPRITE Nigeria,
yesterday, debunked
the story making the rounds
that it intends to close shop
in Nigeria.
Ini Archibong, Country
Director for Chastex
Consult, representatives of
Shoprite in Nigeria, in a
telephone conversation
with Vanguard said:
“Shoprite is not leaving
Nigeria. We have only just
opened to Nigerian
investors which we have
also been talking to just
before now. We are not
leaving, who leaves over a
$30 billion investment and
close shop?” It doesn’t
sound right.
“We have only just given
this opportunity to Nigerian
investors to come in and
also help drive our
expansion plan in Nigeria.
So we are not leaving. I
have tried to say this as to
many people as I can.
There should be no panic
at all and all of that. There
is no truth in that report.”
Recall that a story was
published online,(not
Vanguard) that the retail
outlet has started a formal
process to consider the
potential sale of all or a
majority of stake in its
supermarkets in Nigeria.
The report said the retailer had
struggled in the Nigerian market
after some South African owned
retailer shops exited the Nigerian
market.
The report further stated that
Shoprite results for the year do
not reflect any of their operations
in Nigeria as it will be classified as
discontinued operation.
In a trading update published
on Monday, the South Africanbased
company said the decision
was made after “approaches from
various potential investors, and
in line with our re-evaluation of
the Group’s operating model in
Nigeria.”
The company said when it
reports its results for the year, its
business in Nigeria “may be
classified as a discontinued
operation.”
The company’s Nigerian
business posted a 6.3 per cent
decline in sales for the year
ending June 2020, according to
its Monday update.
The company entered the
Nigerian market in 2005 and its
exit continues a trend of South
African retail business struggling
in Africa’s most populated nation.
Mr Price, another South
African retailer, announced plans
to close its Nigerian business in
June.
In 2014, South African retailer,
Woolworths, also pulled the plug
on its Nigerian operation, citing
high rents and duties, as well as
marketing difficulties.
In 2012, Shoprite announced
plans to spend up to $205 million
on securing new locations in
Nigeria.
The supermarket chain went
on to spread its tentacles across
most of Nigeria’s largest cities.