By Danmaryam Zayamu
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19, Boss Mustapha, has clarified that he is fully aware of the state of the Nigeria’s health sector.
He, however, said that the assignment given to him to chair the PTF further gave him the opportunity to explore, dig deeper and interrogate the system better.
Mustapha made the clarification while giving update on the Covid-19 situation in Nigeria, in Abuja, Friday.
He said that the clarification became necessary because his response during his interaction with the leadership of the National Assembly on Thursday was misunderstood and taken out of context.
It would be recalled that immediately after the meeting with the National Assembly leadership, many Nigerians have literarily called for the head of the SGF for saying that he was not aware of the enormity of the challenges in the health sector.
While clarifying his statement, the SGF said: “Yesterday, I mentioned at the National Assembly that that I became fully aware of the state of our medical system during the execution of this Task Force assignment. It has become clear that this has been taken out of context.
“I must clarify that I am aware and has indeed been a champion for the reform and transformation of the health care system.
“However, this PTF assignment has afforded me the opportunity to dig deeper, interrogate and x-ray the system better.”
Boss Mustapha further noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has provided both the legislature and the executive arms of government the opportunity to significantly assess and agree to reform the public health system in the short, medium and long terms.
“Yesterday for over five hours, the PTF briefed the leadership of the National Assembly as part of the continuing collaboration between the Executive and the Legislature.
“The discussion was rich, factual and robust in our national interest.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has provided both Arms of Government, the unique opportunity to significantly assess and agree to reform our public health system in the short, medium and long terms.
“I wish to thank the National Assembly under the leadership of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for their invaluable guidance and commitment to deploy all legislative resources and powers to support the fight against COVID-19 virus,” the SGF said.
He, therefore, appealed to state governments to recognize the serious nature of this situation and synergise with the Federal Government so that “together we could win the war.”
