By Isibor Anthony

BOSS Mustapha, secretary to the government of the Federation, SGF, and chairman, Presidential Steering Committee, PSC, on Covid-19, has said that sources and access to vaccines constitute major challenges in Nigeria. It has also included five African countries of South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Namibia and Uganda into the categories of countries with high Coronavirus risk.

“We have escalated surveillance and risk communication.  The PSC has similarly paid close attention to the issue of vaccination, especially matters relating to access and acquisition of vaccines.

“However, the sources and access to vaccines constitute major challenges given the developments in India, the attendant scarcity and the rise of vaccine nationalism,” he said.

He, however, urged Nigerians not to worry as “The PSC through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA has continued to intensify efforts to acquire vaccines for the next phase.

“The PSC wishes to encourage members of the public not to lower their guards yet because we continue to see spikes in some countries (including African countries) and the emergence of variants of concern in several jurisdictions where the third wave has occurred.

“For over six months Federal Government employees on GL 12 and below have been observing work-from-home instructions. This restriction remains in place until further notice in order to avert a third wave.”

The chairman said that “Following observations by users, the PSC took steps to improve on the performance of the travel portal, so as to ease the bottlenecks experienced by travellers.

“A few weeks ago, we announced additional measures to be met by passengers arriving from Brazil, Turkey and India. This action was due to the prevalence of variants of concern and the dangers associated with importation of such virulent strain.

“The PSC has been reviewing these restrictions and is of the opinion that they should remain for another four (4) weeks before it is further reviewed. South Africa, has however, been added to this category once more.

“In addition to these three countries, the PSC has also shifted its focus on some African countries. South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Namibia and Uganda fall in this category. South Africa for example, recorded over 100,000 cases in the last one week while 20,000 was recorded in the last 24 hours.

“The four major variants of concern are now classified as Alpha (UK), Beta (SA); Gamma (Brazil) and Delta (India). The Delta variant which has wrecked devastating havoc, is not yet found in Nigeria hence the need to tighten our borders and be more vigilant.”

Mustapha also said that the issues of sanctions on violators of conditions placed on international travels still remain and violators of such protocols will have to face the stipulated sanctions.