Task force orders deployment of NASENI’s disinfectants to Asokoro hospital 

• FCT to enforce lockdown during distribution of palliatives

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Task Force on COVID-19 has ordered the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to deploy its newly developed made-in-Nigeria disinfectant safety sprayers to the Asokoro General Hospital, Abuja.

Deputy Director, Information, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, disclosed in a statement that the COVID-19 committee stated this during its visit to NASENI headquarters in Abuja.

The committee said the Asokoro General Hospital had admitted two COVID-19 patients, adding that the NASENI disinfectant safety sprayers were needed urgently at the hospital.

Led by its Vice Chairman, Professor Abdusalami Nasidi, who was on an inspection of NASENI facilities, commended the agency for the initiatives, which were aimed at assisting the government to control the virus from spreading in the country.

Nasidi pointed out that the Asokoro General Hospital had been activated to admit COVID-19 patients for treatment, stressing that health workers at the hospital needed to be sanitised before and after attending to patients. 

Besides, the FCT Administration would ensure strict compliance to the Presidential stay-at-home order in each council area to ensure hitch free distribution of palliative items to the vulnerable in rural communities.  

It assured that the distribution exercise was to commence in Abaji Council Area on Friday, April 17, 2020 before reaching Gwagwalada, Kuje, AMAC, Bwar and Kwali councils.

Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tiijani Aliyu, made the disclosure at a stakeholders’ meeting with traditional, religious and political leaders in Abuja.

Aliyu said the decision to begin distribution of the palliatives in Abaji was made after considering the best way to manage the security personnel and logistics with a view to improving identified lapses when distributing the items in the other council areas.  

She had earlier directed council chairmen, traditional and religious leaders to suggest the best ways for palliative items to reach those who really needed them during the lockdown period.  

Meanwhile, the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) has charged attorney generals and commissioners of justice to end indiscriminate arrests and detention of citizens, as a measure to curb the spread of coronavirus. 

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Chino Obiagwu and Programmes Director, Pamela Okoroigwe, it drew their attention to the vulnerable situation of detention centres.

It cited such centres as correctional services centres, police stations and detention facilities of environment sanitation agencies, COVID-19 Task Force, Nigeria Safety and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and vigilante groups, among others, stressing that they were reportedly filled with criminal suspects and usually over-congested.