.PTF gets N10m worth of PPEs from Rotary
Federal Government has declared the Federal Capital Territory as one of the red spots where community spread of the Coronavirus pandemic has been prevalent.
The government lamented the poor level of compliance saying, “That is why there is community spreading. We want to sensitise Nigerians on the dangers of this.”
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID – 19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, represented by the Permanent Secretary (General Services Office), Olusegun Adekunle, raised the alarm, while receiving donations of Personal Protective Equipment worth N10 million from Rotary District 9125, led by Victor Onukhugwa.
Items donated included sterile gloves, Latex examination gloves, facemasks with shield, Surgical facemasks, N95 facemasks, KN95 facemasks, Disposable Theatre gowns, Waterproof Aprons, Safety goggles, Theatre caps, Shoe covers, Hand-sanitizers 300mls, Infrared thermometers and 9V batteries for thermometers.
While enlisting the assistance of Rotary International in taking the COVID – 19 awareness campaign to the communities, he said 20 Local Government Areas currently contribute 60 per cent of the cases in the country.
Mustapha said, “We urge Rotary to help us take the awareness further. The risk management team is available to share strategy with Rotary International.”
The SGF stressed that the ravaging effect of Coronavirus had impacted negatively both on governance and the economy.
He said, “It is for us to strategist for a new way of life. A good number of staff have not been at work for the past four months. The impact of this in the economy is glaring.
“The fatality rate is quite high. We keep telling Nigerians that please these are not just numbers but brothers, sisters and colleagues that has passed on. Some groups and clubs have been trying hard for us to control this. The resources needed is enormous to fight the virus.”
Mustapha commended Rotary District 9125, for the donations, stressing that some of the items were scarce commodity being chased after by some other countries in desperate need of them.
He said, “We acknowledged that the donations are useful. The items are being chased globally, even if you have resources you might not get it. The donation is gratifying because hundreds of medical personnel have been infected perhaps due to lack of kits. It will be used judiciously and it will be accounted for. We received this items with gratitude. We must form a chain and therefore we cannot afford to have a weak link in the chain.”
Earlier, Onukwugha congratulated Nigeria for being certified as a polio free country.
He said since the outbreak of Coronavirus, the club has donated materials to the less priveldge and vulnerable groups.
“We have come here with PPE to donate to what you have. We are happy that we have provide these items. Beyond this, we are keen to ensure that Nigeria is COVID-19 free. We have people on the field doing advocacy, before COVID-19 we have advocating for hand washing,” he said.