Ex-Gov Yari advises Nigerian govt against extending COVID-19 lockdown

The immediate past Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Abdul Aziz Yari, has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari not to extend the COVID-19 lockdown order.

Yari who made the call in a statement issued by his media aide, Mayowa Oluwabiyi, in Abuja on Wednesday said that ongoing lockdown in Lagos, Ogun States and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, aimed to curb spread of the dreaded coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic, was imperative but an extension of the order will be counterproductive.

He said that; “Further freeze on economic activities will be counterproductive as the instinct to survive for many of the people who are basically poor will frustrate compliance.”

READ ALSO: Nigerian govt bans inter-state movement of COVID-19 patients

Yari in his statement therefore suggested that instead of continued lockdown, the face-mask should be made compulsory as people return to work as well as social distancing, hand washing and aggressive use of hand sanitizers should also be mandatory.

He said, ‘The most important thing is that delegated officials are delivering on their mandate very well.

“I am happy the president offered to increase the number of people than can benefit from the Conditional Cash Transfer programme by another one million individuals.

“Given our population that is quite small but again it is a question of capacity, Nigeria does not have the capacity to undertake catering to everyone at this point. Right now, it is best for us to be a lot more understanding,” he concluded.

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