Over 150 Lockdown Violators Have Been Prosecuted: DRTS Boss

The Director, Directorate of Road Traffic  Services, Bodinga Wadata says the level of compliance to the COVID-19 lockdown directive in the Federal Capital Territory has improved as the mobile courts convict more violators.

Wadata noted that the trial involves pedestrians, motorists and motorcyclists caught violating the lockdown order.

According to him, some of the convicts were fined various sums while others had their vehicles impounded and sentenced to community service.

He stated that the idea of prosecuting violators was not aimed at punishing anyone but to discourage people from leaving their homes against medical advice to curtail the spread of COVID 19.

He appealed to residents to comply with the lockdown order to avoid arrest and prosecution.

The mobile courts commenced sittings on Thursday 16th April at three different locations across the city which include AYA, Dantata and Mpape.

FCTA Commences Community Search For COVID-19 Active Cases

By Toyeebat Anifowose The Federal Capital Territory Administration has commenced a community screening of persons with symptoms of Covid-19 infection.

In a press statement issued by the FCT Public Health Department, the Administration explained that the screening is to get these patients treated immediately.

The screening is also to break the transmission of COVID-19 in the territory.

The Administration has since started the community active case search in Mpape through sensitization and sample collection of residents with possible symptoms.

The screening will be expanded to other communities in AMAC, Gishiri, Utako and Mabushi throughout the week.

FCT, Lagos and Ogun State on Lockdown For Two More Weeks: President Muhammadu Buhari

By Toyeebat Anifowose President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered an additional two weeks lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun state.

The President gave this directive while addressing Nigerians in a national broadcast.

The President explained that the extension is a necessary measure to combat the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The President stated that efforts will continue to be focused on Lagos state and the Federal Capital Territory which collectively account for 71% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria.

According to him, the previously issued guidelines on exempted services shall remain.

The President announced that the previous palliative measures will be sustained including an additional expansion of the current social register from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million in the next two weeks.

NCDC Confirms 17 New Cases of COVID-19

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed seventeen new cases of coronavirus in Nigeria.

As at 9:30 PM today, there are three hundred and five cases confirmed cases of the disease in the country.

Two new cases are in FCT, Eight in Lagos, three in Katsina, one in Niger, one in Kaduna, one in Anambra, and one in Ondo state.

There are fifty eight discharged cases with seven deaths.

The Federal Capital Territory currently has fifty six confirmed cases of the disease.

COVID-19: FCT Doctors Earn N50,000 As Daily Hazard Allowance

The Acting Secretary to the Federal Capital Territory Health and Human Services Secretariat Dr. Muhammad Kawu has disclosed that medical doctors in the frontline of managing coronavirus patients in the territory receive fifty thousand naira daily as hazard allowance.

Nurses, pharmacists and lab scientists earn thirty thousand naira while cleaners, ward heads and drivers receive twenty thousand naira on a daily basis.

Dr Kawu made this disclosure during a press briefing in Abuja.

According to him, the allowance has since been approved by the FCT Minister Muhammad Musa Bello.

Man Arrested Over Fake Exemption Pass

ByToyeebat Anifowose A man has been arrested for violating the lockdown directive while carrying a fake exemption pass for essential workers.

He was arrested by the Federal Capital Territory Administration Ministerial Enforcement Task Team on COVID-19 along Airport Road, in Abuja.

Meanwhile, FCT Minister Muhammad Musa Bello says his administration will intensify efforts to ensure that residents comply with the lockdown directive by involving more security operatives like the Military which have already been drafted to ensure compliance of interstate movements.

Seven Patients Ready For Discharge; Recover From Covid19 In FCT

By Toyeebat Anifowose The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Muhammad Musa Bello has disclosed that seven patients are ready to be reunited with their families after their final results tested negative to the deadly covid19.

The Minister made this disclosure in a press statement issued on 7th of April, 2020.

According to the Minister, medical practitioners are on top of their games in ensuring the recovery and discharge of the remaining patients who have contracted the disease.

On the fight against Covid19, the Minister reiterated that his administration is fully committed to fighting the pandemic and would ensure that resources are made available for the effective containment of the virus.

Addressing the level of compliance to the lockdown in the territory, the minister appreciated residents for the high level of compliance they have exhibited so far.

He further appealed to residents to continue supporting the government in order to collectively combat the pandemic.

FCTA Issues New Directives: Markets To Open Thrice Weekly

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has directed that markets in the territory will now only operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 7:00am to 2:00pm as part of measures to curtail the spread of covid19.

The FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello issued this directive during a meeting with FCT Market Managers and officials from the FCT Police Command, led by the FCT Police Commissioner, Adamu Ciroma.

He also disclosed that only retailers will be allowed to operate within the markets as wholesale sellers will no longer be permitted to operate.

The Minister instructed the market managers and the FCT Police Command to ensure compliance with the directive by monitoring all entry and exit points of the various markets as well as activities of the traders.

He advised FCT residents to patronize markets within their neighbourhoods rather than going to the major markets in order to limit the spread of the virus between communities in the territory.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Clears Air About 5G in Nigeria

By Toyeebat Anifowose 

Against the backdrop of the public concern about the health implications of the deployment of Fifth Generation Mobile Networks (5G) in Nigeria, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Dr. Isa Ali Pantami has clarified that no licence has been issued for the deployment of 5G in the country.

The Minister made this clarification in a press statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy on the 4th of April, 2020.

The Minister noted that the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) which he presides over has not deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G.

He further explained that although a 3-month study trial commenced on the 25th of November, 2019 in order to critically review and study the implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria, the study and reporting process is currently ongoing.

The Minister assured Nigerians that the current administration places a premium on the welfare, health and security of Nigerians and its desire for technological advancement will never be at the expense of the well-being of Nigerians.

He added that the government will take an informed decision about 5G after due consultation with experts and the public.

Nasarawa State Government Imposes 24 Hour Curfew on Karu Local Government Area

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state has imposed a 24 hour curfew on  Karu Local Government Area of the state as part of measures to restrict movement into the Federal Capital Territory while curtailing the outbreak of covid19. 

 The imposition which will take effect on Thursday 2nd April, 2020, will also affect Lafia the State Capital from 6am to 8pm.

The government therefore urged residents to support its efforts in safeguarding  the health of its people.

COVID19: REPORT ANY CASE OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION, NHRC TELLS NIGERIANS

The  National Human Rights Commission has issued a directive to report law enforcement agents found violating human rights during the ongoing enforcement of covid 19 regulations.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Executive Secretary of the Commission Tony Ojukwu in Abuja.

The Executive Secretary directed members of the public to make their reports through phone calls, text messages and videos to the relevant staff of the commission while ensuring that such reports include a clear description of the alleged violators, date and time of the violation and other specific details which can be used for easy identification of the violators.

The commission designated the following contact lines for Nigerians to lodge their complaints.

1.08037875427,

2. 08179371339,

3.08034354537,

4. 07033398657,

The Commission also enjoined all citizens affected by the lockdown to reach out to their various Commissioners of Police through the following phone lines.


 i) CP FCT:  08033027731

ii) CP Lagos: 08033438179 and

 iii) CP OGUN: 08033438900

Similarly, any complaints of violations involving the Military should be reported to the Commission for documentation and directed for redress to the Director Army Civil Military Affairs:08057750691.