THE LOCKDOWN ALL OVER NIGERIA SHOULD BE CALLED OFF
EQUITY INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE (RIVERS STATE CAPTER) World Press Conference on COVID-19 LOCKDOWN EXTENSION PRESS BRIEFING! We the members of the Equity International Initiative, Rivers State Chapter have viewed with keen interest the Global developments surrounding the Covid 19 pandemic which is almost paralyzing the social, economic and religious life of all the Nations of the world. We have equally had a comparative studies of the approach of most Nations affected by this pandemic as they take measures to both curb and cushion the effect of this pandemiC Vis-å-vis the measures taken by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While we do not question the power vested on the President to declare a state of emergency in situations as we have found ourselves, we are however constrain to point out the following lacuna to wit
1. There is no scientific proof that shows that a virus spread can be contained while people are indoors. On the contrary, we are of the firm view backed by scientific reports globally that the spread is contained while people are exposed to the air, heat of sunlight and not indoors. 2. It is now obvious that the continuous lockdown of our States and most parts of the economic nerve centers of the Nation is seriously destroying the economy of the Country. 3. We observed that a lot of people are sick and dying of starvation and hunger. The financial windfalls from donors from both private individuals and corporate organizations are in custody of the Federal Government and there is no proper account for all these monies. 4. How did the Government come about the data of the weak and vulnerable in the society they are allegedly reaching out to with palliatives? What is this palliative that Government is giving out? Is the federal government collaborating with state agencies to get this palliative to the people Or some federal agents are up there enriching themselves 5. The information available to us as at today is that some countries have started opening up their economic activities, why is Nigeria closing up after almost one month of economic shut down
6. If the government continue to lockdown the country, what medical arrangements do they have on ground to get people tested and treated.
7. The right of the citizens are violated without legal representations. Some security are abusing the rights of citizens WAY FORWARD
We are calling on the government to call off the lock down because lock down for one month now have not serve any useful purpose nothing.We believe COVID19 cannot be defeated Just by locking down. It will be defeated by looking for cure and applying it to confront the virus: We want government to embark on the following approach
1. Give attention to our health sector by increasing the number of medical doctors and health workers to meet the present challenges.
2. Invite retired but still active doctors and experienced nurses back to public service to help with the situation as it is.
3. Establish new medical facilities with basic things to alleviate pressure from special centers, thereby reducing traffic and risk of infection 4. Allow work resume in phases. First, let the food and agricultural chain begin so that farmers can utilize the raining and planting season which is on to go back to farm. We shouldn't forget too soon that the United Nation recently warned that the world face multiple famine of biblical proportion, warning that about 130million people would be faced with starvation. Right now, many are hungry in Nigeria and as such we must not allow our farmers to continue to be affected by the lockdown
5. Let schools resume and follow the protocol as applied in other where students are made to wear face masks, observe social distancing, and compulsory use of hand sanitizers and also hand washing
6. Let the church and religious organizations reopen with members observing COVID 19 protocols; we believe through fellowship, the religious organizations will provide emotional support, hope, and faith for members to go through these challenges. It is our thinking that the opening up of religious organizations will help the needy members of the organizations get welfare through the welfare schemes by the organizations. This will reduce pressure from the populace since government cannot provide all the needed palliatives.
7. Let social life begin gradually.
8. We demand transparency, accountability and proper mechanism in the distribution of the COVID 19 palliative. 9. We call for the enforcement of the Rights of the citizenry. Courts are currently closed due to the COVID 19. People are being arrested for flouting government stay at home orders, arraigned and convicted without due legal representations. They are denied the right to legal representation before these emergency tribunals. We therefore demand that a legal framework be developed to ensure an effective dispensation of justice.
SIGNED
EQUITY INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE (RIVERS STATE CAPTER) World Press Conference on COVID-19 LOCKDOWN EXTENSION PRESS BRIEFING! We the members of the Equity International Initiative, Rivers State Chapter have viewed with keen interest the Global developments surrounding the Covid 19 pandemic which is almost paralyzing the social, economic and religious life of all the Nations of the world. We have equally had a comparative studies of the approach of most Nations affected by this pandemic as they take measures to both curb and cushion the effect of this pandemiC Vis-å-vis the measures taken by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While we do not question the power vested on the President to declare a state of emergency in situations as we have found ourselves, we are however constrain to point out the following lacuna to wit
1. There is no scientific proof that shows that a virus spread can be contained while people are indoors. On the contrary, we are of the firm view backed by scientific reports globally that the spread is contained while people are exposed to the air, heat of sunlight and not indoors. 2. It is now obvious that the continuous lockdown of our States and most parts of the economic nerve centers of the Nation is seriously destroying the economy of the Country. 3. We observed that a lot of people are sick and dying of starvation and hunger. The financial windfalls from donors from both private individuals and corporate organizations are in custody of the Federal Government and there is no proper account for all these monies. 4. How did the Government come about the data of the weak and vulnerable in the society they are allegedly reaching out to with palliatives? What is this palliative that Government is giving out? Is the federal government collaborating with state agencies to get this palliative to the people Or some federal agents are up there enriching themselves 5. The information available to us as at today is that some countries have started opening up their economic activities, why is Nigeria closing up after almost one month of economic shut down
6. If the government continue to lockdown the country, what medical arrangements do they have on ground to get people tested and treated.
7. The right of the citizens are violated without legal representations. Some security are abusing the rights of citizens WAY FORWARD
We are calling on the government to call off the lock down because lock down for one month now have not serve any useful purpose nothing.We believe COVID19 cannot be defeated Just by locking down. It will be defeated by looking for cure and applying it to confront the virus: We want government to embark on the following approach
1. Give attention to our health sector by increasing the number of medical doctors and health workers to meet the present challenges.
2. Invite retired but still active doctors and experienced nurses back to public service to help with the situation as it is.
3. Establish new medical facilities with basic things to alleviate pressure from special centers, thereby reducing traffic and risk of infection 4. Allow work resume in phases. First, let the food and agricultural chain begin so that farmers can utilize the raining and planting season which is on to go back to farm. We shouldn't forget too soon that the United Nation recently warned that the world face multiple famine of biblical proportion, warning that about 130million people would be faced with starvation. Right now, many are hungry in Nigeria and as such we must not allow our farmers to continue to be affected by the lockdown
5. Let schools resume and follow the protocol as applied in other where students are made to wear face masks, observe social distancing, and compulsory use of hand sanitizers and also hand washing
6. Let the church and religious organizations reopen with members observing COVID 19 protocols; we believe through fellowship, the religious organizations will provide emotional support, hope, and faith for members to go through these challenges. It is our thinking that the opening up of religious organizations will help the needy members of the organizations get welfare through the welfare schemes by the organizations. This will reduce pressure from the populace since government cannot provide all the needed palliatives.
7. Let social life begin gradually.
8. We demand transparency, accountability and proper mechanism in the distribution of the COVID 19 palliative. 9. We call for the enforcement of the Rights of the citizenry. Courts are currently closed due to the COVID 19. People are being arrested for flouting government stay at home orders, arraigned and convicted without due legal representations. They are denied the right to legal representation before these emergency tribunals. We therefore demand that a legal framework be developed to ensure an effective dispensation of justice.
SIGNED
FRANK O. OTIOTIO ESQ
(RIVERS STATE CHAPTER CORDINATOR)
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