COVID-19: Buhari reveals palliatives for 3.6m Nigerians as he extends lockdown by 14 days

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, said his administration will support additional one million homes with social investment programs.

Buhari made the disclosure while announcing extension of the current lockdown order by another 14 days aimed at tackling the spread of #Coronavirus in Nigeria.

In a nationwide broadcast, Buhari said the social register should be extended from 2.6million to 3.6million in the next two weeks.

He said: “In the past two weeks, we announced palliative measures such as food distribution, cash transfers and loans repayment waivers to ease the pains of our restrictive policies during this difficult time. These palliatives will be sustained.

“I have also directed that the current social register be expanded from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks. This means we will support an additional one million homes with our social investment programs. A technical committee is working on this and will submit a report to me by the end of this week.

“The Security Agencies have risen to the challenges posed by this unprecedented situation with gallantry and I commend them. I urge them to continue to maintain utmost vigilance, firmness as well as restraint in enforcing the restriction orders while not neglecting statutory security responsibilities.

“Fellow Nigerians, follow the instructions on social distancing. The irresponsibility of the few can lead to the death of the many. Your freedom ends where other people’s rights begin.”