Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has restated his call for flight restrictions from countries with high prevalence of coronavirus infection until the country built the capacity to contain the scourge.
Atiku had first made the call some two weeks ago upon revelation that an Italian national who arrived in the country had tested positive to the virus.
Stating that such flight restrictions were in line with best global practice, Atiku urged the federal government to take every reasonable step to protect Nigerians from the virus.
He however said the nation’s borders should remain open to Nigerian citizens, regardless of their status.
The former Vice President expressed worry that many of the passengers that flew in with the index case from Italy have yet to be identified and located, despite efforts by health officials.
Atiku, in a statement on Thursday, said, “They (passengers) could be anywhere. We must, therefore, err on the side of caution. We cannot afford to broaden the possibility of future infections.
“The economic impact of a widespread infection of the virus in Nigeria will be catastrophic and will affect our national security, and status as Africa’s leading economy.
“The ravages of this scourge, which has officially been classified as a global pandemic, must not be allowed to test our already fragile economy.
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“I urge that every political and any other difference be put aside. On my part, I am first a Nigerian, and I am willing and ready to work with anybody, at any time, at whatever cost, to ensure the safety of this country, which is the only country we have to call our home, and her peoples.
“We must act now. We must put Nigeria and her citizens first. We must ensure that our national policy is deliberately tailored to protect our most excellent national resource, the great Nigerian people”.
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