Covid-19: Why Buhari should extend the lockdown – By AHAMEFULA  NJOKU

I think there may be need for the Federal Government to extend the lock down in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun for one week or even more  after the expiration of the initial two weeks. This time around it should be nationwide for effectiveness.

COVID 19 cases and deaths are on the rise in our country. The incidents at the  University of Benin Teaching Hospital where about 25 doctors are in isolation and the one in  University of Ilorin  Teaching Hospital where 75 persons are being contacted, etc shows that we are not yet out of the woods. Add these incidents to the death of a doctor in Katsina and the death of a 66 year old Briton in Lagos, its not difficult to understand that the scenario is still dangerous.

Our health officials still need more time to bring  the menace under control.

It is clear that we are not testing enough cases due to the shortage of medical materials and relevant laboratory expertise. But with increased support by the federal government, state governments and donors there appears to be hope on the horizon.

Palliatives should be distributed in a transparent manner to cushion the effect of the lock down on the poor, needy and vulnerable. Such palliatives must be distributed nation wide.

India, Britain, Italy, South Africa, etc all have prescribed a period of at least 3 weeks lock down or more. To stop the lock down after just two weeks may lead to the reversal of any gains  made so far by our medics. Citizens must cooperate with the government as efforts are made to contain the pandemic. Therefore, President Muhammadu Buhari should do the same by extending the lock down to a total of three or four weeks  to avert a national calamity.

Njoku, a Civil Rights Lawyer is also an author.