Governors of the 36 states of the federation, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the officials of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have agreed to strengthen security surveillance along state boundaries to enforce the interstate restrictions of movement aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19 disease in the country.
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Ekiti state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said this in a communique issued at the end of the forum’s 7th COVID-19 teleconference meeting.
“Governors are concerned with the continued movement of people across states despite the enforcement of inter-State lockdowns across states.
“The forum will collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force to provide increased security, as well as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and LGA Chairmen in the States to strengthen security surveillance along State boarders,” he said.
He said the governors also expressed concern about the rising number of health workers who are infected with COVID-19, and resolved to work on ways to ensure enhanced protection for them.
“In the light of rising cases of infections among health workers, State governments will engage with their health workers to provide other incentives, including insurance cover or allowances as may be required,” he said.
He said the governors also resolved to work with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for further training and logistic support for health workers across the country.
“The Forum also received update from the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, who heads the Committee that liaises with development partners. In response to the fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on states, the NGF Secretariat will provide technical assistance to state governments to establish common macroeconomic assumptions that will help states prepare revised budgets for 2020,” he said.
Fayemi said he also briefed governors on the coordination efforts with the federal government, multilateral and bilateral partners, and the private sector through the Coalition against COVID-19.
“After an interactive session with President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who joined in the teleconference, governors commended Dangote for his increasing involvement in the fight against COVID-19 in the country,” he said.
