The Secretary to Government of Federation, Boss Mustapha has cautioned the police and other security agencies against harassing journalists, health workers and other essential workers
Mustapha who is chairman of Presidential Tàsk Force on Covid-19, expressed concerns that they were still being daily harassed despite clear guidelines issued on essential workers.
He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, essential workers, including our indefatigable medical personnel, diligent journalists, courageous fire service personnel, telecommunications workers, are all exempted.
“The Inspector General of Police has further clarified the categories of essential workers in alignment with the guidelines and has issued instructions to security agents to work on the approved exemptions.
“With this clarification, we sincerely hope that the persistent complaints of harassment by these categories of essential workers, especially medical personnel and journalists would be put to rest so that we can harmoniously work in battling this pandemic.
“The PTF COVID-19 urges all essential workers to go about their legitimate duties carrying with them valid means of identification and to exercise courtesy in approaching security personnel.”
The National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr Sani Aliyu, urged states to create mobile courts for the prosecution of offenders of the protocols and to enforce restriction of interstates movement.
He said, “People may go out to buy necessary food and for exercise. Movement between local government areas is strongly discouraged unless for critical reasons such as healthcare.”
According to him, interstates movements remain banned except for essential services while schools, bars, pubs, clubs remain closed until further notice.
Aliyu asked banks and offices to prepare for life after post COVID-19.
He added, “For banks and other financial institutions as well as offices, now is the opportunity to start adjusting to a new life post- COVID-19 as we lift restrictions over the next two weeks.”
He asked them to maintain physical distancing, provide hand washing facilities and to ensure staff working in the office were not more than 50 per cent.
The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19 at the press conference urged loyalists of the President, the National Assembly members, governors and chairmen of local government areas to obey rules on COVID-19.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Haruna Mshelia, noted that the majority of those infected with coronavirus were asymptomatic.
The lawmaker referred to the comments earlier made by the NCDC boss and the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, about preventive measures.
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