The Federal Capital Territory Administration has said it would ensure strict compliance and adherence with the provisions of the Coronavirus Disease Health Protection Regulation 2021 as released by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19

This was made known in a press statement by Anthony Ogunleye, the FCTA Chief Press Secretary of the FCTA,  following a stakeholders meeting held on Friday, January 29 at the FCDA Conference Hall, in Abuja.

The meeting was chaired by the Minister of the FCT, Muhammad Bello, and had in attendance the Honourable Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the National Incidence Manager of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Dr Mukhtar Mohammed, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, political, traditional and religious leaders as well as heads of the various security agencies in the FCT.

The FCTA said it would sanction all erring corporate organisations and would ensure the effective use of the mobile court system for trial of offenders.

Part of the statement reads;

"The FCT will also increase public education and community engagement following a baseline assessment of how much the populace know about the virus and launch massive awareness campaigns across the 6 Area Councils of the FCT to further sensitize members of the public on COVID-19.

"While it was noted that commercial transportation is one of the major modes of transmitting the disease, it was resolved that all road transport unions will be engaged to ensure strict enforcement of the provisions of the regulations.

"The meeting further resolved that there was the need for traditional rulers, religious and community leaders to fully mobilize and enlighten their various constituents on the need to fully comply with the resolutions. This is in addition to ensuring strict compliance in all the markets across the FCT.

"While all public and private schools are to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the regulations, it was also resolved that there was the need for the provision of affordable face masks for members of the public.

"Speaking earlier the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello said that even though the FCT is regarded as an epicenter, the Administration has been successful in its response to the disease and assured of the FCTA’s preparedness to fight the second wave through the cooperation of all the stakeholders across the Territory.

"In the words of the Minister, “My appeal to you is that please, let us work hard, particularly at the community level and that is why I am so happy to see that out of the 6 Area Council Chairmen, 5 are present today”.

"The Minister also disclosed that the Task Force on COVID-19 guidelines enforcement will be re-invigorated to ensure that enforcement cascades down to the community and grassroots level while reminding the security agencies that enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines was now a presidential directive that must be implemented.

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"While appealing to the PTF for funding to help in the enforcement of the guidelines, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the efforts the FCTA has committed so far to the fight against COVID-19 because those efforts have saved lives.

"In her remarks the Hon. Minister of State Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu expressed the appreciation of the FCTA to the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for its commitment and dedication in directing the nation’s response to the pandemic.

"She also called on all residents to work together to effectively combat the disease, saying, “ if there is anything we have learned in the fight against COVID-19 thus far, it is the realization that working together, we can conquer any challenge that threatens our collective wellbeing.

"She also said that the FCT, through committed efforts has succeeded in containing the magnitude of the pandemic and saved a large number of Nigerian lives.

"In his contribution, the FCT Commissioner of Police and Chairman of the FCT COVID -19 Enforcement Task Force, Mr Bala Ciroma said that the enforcement team will not only carry out enforcement but will also carry out enlightenment campaigns as well and called on Area Council Chairmen to set up enforcement teams at the local government level.

"Also present at the event were the Chairmen of Abaji, Kwali, Gwagwalada, Municipal, and Bwari Area Councils as well as the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr Umar Gambo Jibrin, the Onah of Abaji, Alh Adamu Baba Yunusa, the FCT CAN Chairman, Dr Samson Jonah, the Imam, Abuja National Mosque Dr Mohammed Kabir heads of civil society oganisations  and other critical stakeholders."

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