The Nigeria Union of Journalist, NUJ, has frowned at what it described as the manner at which the federal government is tackling the outbreak of coronavirus also known as COVID-19 in the country.
According to the union in a statement issued on Monday, it stated that the measures put in place by the federal government were not adequate considering the magnitude of the outbreak of the deadly virus in the country and the world.
While urging the government to emulate states like Lagos and others that had taken drastic measures, the NUJ advised that the federal secretariat and other buildings where civil servants operates from should be closed.
The union also appeal that intensive sensitization should be embarked upon while testing kit and isolation centres be also made available across the country.
The statement, which was signed by the union’s National President, Chris Isiguzo read, “the Nigeria Union of Journalists National Secretariat reiterates its call on the Federal Government to take drastic steps to minimize the spread of Covid 19 across the country. Specifically, the Federal Government should emulate Lagos and few other states that have asked certain categories of workers to stay at home for two weeks.
“The Union is not happy that the Federal Government is not doing enough in this regard and calls for the immediate closing down of the Federal Secretariat Abuja and other offices since majority of these workers commute daily to work using public transportation.
“There is also an urgent need for more awareness especially in the rural areas while more isolation centres and testing kits should be provided in the FCT and in all states of the Federation. And these should be without prejudice to the efforts of respective State Governments.”
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK