COVID-19: Religious leaders sabotaging our efforts, says FG

The Federal Government on Thursday accused religious leaders of sabotaging the national response in containing the spread of the COVID – 19 pandemic in the country by holding large gatherings.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID -19, Boss Mustapha , said this during a press conference of the PTF in Abuja .

He said , “ We have observed , rather sadly , that Nigerians , particularly some faith -based organisations have continued to hold events of large gatherings capable of spreading the virus .

“ The PTF urges all sub- national entities that signed the protocols with these organisations and have primary responsibility for enforcing the protocols and NPIs to step up their roles of enforcement . ”

According to him , the PTF has also continued to engage with relevant stakeholders on the issues arising from the impact of COVID – 19, including mental health, drug use and gender -based violence.
Mustapha said even as vaccines are rolled out, people will need to keep adhering to public health measures so that everyone is protected .

He said , “ The pandemic still has a long a way to run and decisions made by leaders and citizens in the coming days will determine the course of the next days and months ; and in addition, and in line with the guidance on the use of masks , we need to discourage the practice of removing masks to speak .

He also said that the PTF in the next two weeks would be submitting its final report to President Muhammadu Buhari

The SGF, however , said that this is not the end of the assignment as the virus has not gone away.

Mustapha said that as the nation approached the end of the year , which has been significant by all standards , several competing governance -related activities make it impossible for the PTF to regularly brief as it desired.

He , however , assured all Nigerians, that the work of the PTF never stopped during such moments and that they have persisted in deepening risk communication and community engagement surveillance , testing , and pursuit of a viable strategy for accessing the vaccine in a safe and effective manner .