Lifting of lockdown a difficult decision, says SGF 

Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) says, the easing of the lockdown is a delicate balance. 

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Monday approved the gradual easing of lockdown measures in the federal capital territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun states effective from May 4.

At the presidential task force on COVID-19 briefing on Thursday, Mustapha who chairs the committee said no country is ready for the easing, but Nigeria took the decision to balance the health and wealth of its people. 

 “The question for whether we are ready for easing lockdown, no country is ready. That’s the truth about it. Look at all the countries; it’s a balance, a very delicate balance that leaders in different countries take. It is really a difficult terrain, and I just don’t envy the leaders when they receive reports and recommendations,” he said.  

“I don’t want to imagine what is going on in their heads, because this is choice of life and death. And a balance of that deserve a lot of resolve by the leader to do good for its people. So the choice that we’ve taken is to balance the health and also the wealth of the people in such a way we no not further compromise the health of the people. 

“The truth about it is that most countries take one step at a time, and that is what we are doing. We cannot tell you what will happen in the next couple of weeks, because that is the nature of the novel virus, it’s unpredictable, you don’t know how you might be learning about it now in a different context and a different way and the dynamics would change. And if you are not prepared to adjust quickly, you might be confronted with a catastrophic situation. 

“For now, this is the choice that we have made. And, that is why I always head up with a serious appeal to our people that it is a collective choice and this responsibility is collective. We must resolve to do what is needful, to ensure that we do not escalate the spread of the virus.” 

As much as government is easing out the lockdown to provide for succour and opportunities for Nigerians to make a living, the SGF said they must also balance that with their cooperation and commitment as citizens that they would do and adhere to the health advisories  that have been issued.