Buhari: COVID-19 does not discriminate — whether president or pauper

President Muhammadu Buhari says COVID-19 affects everyone, regardless of social class and position.

He said the country will continue to maintain its COVID-19 guidelines to protect citizens and curb the spread of the virus.

The president spoke on Thursday when he presented the 2022 appropriation bill to the national assembly.

“The grim realities of COVID-19 and its lethal variants are still upon us. From president to pauper, the virus does not discriminate,” he said.

“This is why our country still maintains its COVID -19 guidelines and protocols in place to protect citizens and stop the spread of this disease.

“Over the past few days, we have consulted with the presidential steering committee on COVID-19 and the leadership of the national assembly on how best to present the 2022 budget proposal keeping in mind the deep-rooted traditions in place and the guidelines for safe mass gatherings.

“We ultimately decided that the most responsible and respectful approach was to hold a shorter than usual gathering while allowing the minister of finance, budget and national planning to provide fuller details of our proposals at a smaller event.”

President Buhari said the federal government has built 52 molecular laboratories, 520-bed intensive care units, 52 isolation centres to aid the fight against the pandemic.

“The pandemic revealed the urgent need to strengthen our health system. Towards this end, we also provided personal protective equipment across 52 federal medical centres and teaching hospitals,” he added.