Declare State of Emergency on COVID-19, Lawmaker Tells Buhari

Following the continued rise in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Simon Chukwuemeka Atigwe, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, issue a proclamation of a state of emergency on the pandemic in the country.

Atigwe, who represents Udenu/Igbo Eze North Federal Constituency of Enugu State, said the call by the federal government on Nigerians to prepare for tougher measures to curtail the ongoing spread of the disease is capable of creating panic among the populace, especially the illiterates.

The lawmaker explained that such action would not only help the government in halting the growing outbreak of the virus but also in ensuring quick recovery of those already infected.

He specifically urged President Buhari to immediately set up an emergency fund to help the country fight the COVID-19.

This, he stressed would further boost several efforts put in place to mitigate the impact of the epidemic on people’s health, their economic lives and that of the country.

Atigwe also called on the federal and state governments to provide standard equipment and facilities at the centres created to cater for the victims.

He also stressed the need for the establishment of testing centres in all the 774 local government across the country with a view to showing adequate preparation to handle any further spread of the disease. “There is need for federal government to do a little more, beyond closing of airports, schools and sporting event, among other measures. The government should make the establishment of testing centres in all local government a top priority.

“The non-availability of testing centres in the entire South East and the North before now is not good enough for the country and there is need for adequate preparation by the government in every part of the country. The National Assembly will be willing to approve fund for the federal government to establish the centres and their continued upgrading to the required standards”

“Also, standard isolation centres should be built in all states with the support of the Federal Ministry of Health. Containment is very cheap than cure,” he said