Concerned about the soaring COVID-19 cases in Nigeria, safety professionals have described the situation as frightening and appeal to the government to put more effort in enforcing guidelines and double-up daily testing.
Reacting to the increase in COVID-19 infection in the state; Dr. Eugene Itua – Chairman International Institute of Risk And Safety Management (IIRSM) said more awareness needs to be created, likewise enforcement.
He revealed that IIRSM in conjunction with International Labour Organization (ILO) is doing its part in creating awareness.
He also stated that “people are not keeping to the guidelines as typified on the roads and public areas (e.g bus stop). Also, there is still the mentality that the virus issue is not true.
We need to create more awareness and enforce the guidelines.
The need to create more awareness has made IIRSM to embark on its regular program on risk communication in collaboration with ILO”
In the same vein, the Chief Executive Officer Clarionttech Services, Ugochukwu Nwaelele said;
“We have enough relaxation already on restrictive policies which was necessary to keep our economy running so as to sustain lives”.
He also mentioned that “The federal government’s decision not to reopen airports is a good one as this would cause more damage.
I think the part we are lacking is the enforcement of procedures already on ground; leaving citizens to take responsibility to prevent further spread without good watch by the government is catastrophic because of the nature of our society.
In Nigeria, sadly people still doubt the existence of this virus, others praying more than watching, ignorance and lawlessness is the order“.
Ugochukwu further urged the government to empower environmental agencies who can be of helping hand in the enforcement of the COVID-19 guidelines as well as exercise an oversight supervisory functions.
“If Government can empower the environmental agencies to enforce safe opening of all public places and also exercise an oversight supervisory functions, public places will be safer as people will keep safe for fear of being prosecuted more than mere fear of contracting the virus.
I also noticed lately that publicity on media has reduced; more budgets should be grafted into this. The government should involve religious leaders as advocates in this campaign because of their span of influence.”
Speaking further on efforts of the media in creating awareness, Jide King an Operations Health and Safety Manager – West Africa Area, British American Tobacco Nigeria Ltd. opined that the media, especially the mainstream needs to create more awareness on the effect of COVID-19.
“In terms of awareness, my personal assessment is the increased activities of the mainstream media like television, newspapers, etc. We must appreciate the effort in this sector.
Unfortunately, the mainstream media has not really impacted the local communities, as it’s apparent that there’s been a serious knowledge gap within the communities. Occasionally, when driving along the street of Ibadan; I do shiver because society is carrying on as if Covid-19 is not real. I grow goose pimples passing through the local market because all the recommended protocols are completely neglected. Many times I see Okada carrying three passengers on their bikes and all sorts of unacceptable behavior.”
However, Dr. Teresa Bassey a Public Health / Occupational and Aviation Medicine Consultant said the government is not doing enough testing despite the widespread community transmission.
She added that “We have no idea of actual numbers, so; the values will continue to rise as the asymptomatic in society becomes symptomatic and go for testing.
Also when the NCDC numbers of symptomatic cases start coming down, assuming that the statistics are correct; Covid-19 hospital admissions will drop, then we can say we are truly flattening the curve.”
HSENations reports that Nigeria’s total confirmed cases of coronavirus have risen to twenty-one thousand and three hundred and seventy-one (21,371) with seven thousand, three hundred and thirty-eight (7,338) people discharged and five hundred and thirty-three (533) deaths recorded so far.
