FG frowns at violations by Banks of COVID-19 guidelines

The Federal Government has expressed dissatisfaction over the deliberate continue violation of the new guidelines which include social distancing, wearing of masks at public places among others set up as part of measures to check the spread of Corona Virus, pandemic in the country .

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba, Richard Adeniyi Adebayo CON made this known at the weekly briefing of the Emergency Operation Centre of the Committee on Sustainable Production and Delivery of Essential Commodities During COVID-19.

Otunba Adebayo said President Buhari in a nationwide broadcast while directing the easing of a five weeks lockdown in Lagos, Ogun States and the Federal Capital Territory gave clear guidelines on the first phase of the new measures spanning 4th -17th May, 2020 by “imploring all Nigerians to adhere strictly to the advisories published by the Presidential Task Force and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control which include regular hand washing, strict mandatory use of face masks or coverings in public, maintaining physical distancing and personal hygiene, avoidance of non-essential movement and travels and avoidance of large gatherings, restrictions on social and religious gatherings”. 

The Minister also noted that until banks and other commercial institutions opened up all its branches, the horrible scenes observed around the banks’ premises could pose severe danger of infection of Covid-19 as well as compromising measures put in place to tackle the spread of the Pandemic.

Mr. Adebayo further expressed satisfaction with the conduct of security agencies in carrying out their duties by ensuring that Mr. President’s directives of “free-flow and unhindered movement of Foods, Pharmaceuticals, Medical Equipments and other Essential Commodities across the country” is complied with.

The Minister, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing his Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo who is the supervisor of the Emergency Operation Centre as the Leader of the Presidential Delegation to Tackle COVID-19 in Kano State.