…To Fumigate Cities, Towns
Joseph Bakare
The Federal Government has said that it is consciously deliberating on the possibility of placing ban on interstate and intertown travels.
In a statement on Thursday, the minister for information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said that the nation’s strategy at containing the pandemic is working, but that the country still has a long way to go.
While stressing that he does not mean to spread panic, the minister noted that bold measures have been taken and more steps of such nature need to be taken to ensure that Nigeria beats the virus.
The communique said, “I don’t intend to sound apocalyptic. But the truth is that time is running out. If we don’t urgently and more aggressively enforce the measures I have just listed, we have a short window within which to stop this pandemic or face an explosion in terms of the cases. We cannot afford to be complacent.
“In view of this, we are considering tougher measures to enforce compliance, stop the exportation of the disease to states that do not have it and minimize spread. Possible measures include:
“Stopping inter-state/inter-town travels, except for essential services”.
“Closing all motor parks and inter-state rail stations. Already, all train movements nationwide have been stopped. Using fire fighting and other adaptable vehicles and personnel to fumigate cities and towns”.
The minister who had earlier told Nigerians to brace up for tougher measures in the efforts to curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic told newsmen that the government knows its priorities and challenges.
He hailed the state governments that have taken bold measures to ensure that people are safe, including the closure of markets and the prohibition of large congregations.
Mr Mohammed, however, noted that the Federal Government is determined to be more aggressive in enforcing the measures aimed at containing the spread of the virus.
This is coming even as some State governors have have announced ban on interstate travels.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike announced that all air, sea and land routes into the state will be closed to traffic, beginning 6pm, Thursday, March 26, 2020.
According to Wike in a broadcast on Wednesday, the measure became necessary in view of recent developments regarding the corona virus pandemic.
Some airlines on Wednesday also announced temporary suspension of flights in the country.