(4 minutes read)
· In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, President Muhammad
Buhari announced financial intervention schemes to be rolled out for
the vulnerable people
· The Federal Government of Nigeria had identified 10 million
individuals from a population of 200 million in 35 states as the
poorest and vulnerable segment of the population for targeted focus
to ameliorate their difficulties.
In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, President Muhammad Buhari
announced financial intervention schemes to be rolled out for the
vulnerable people. Led by Lagos, one of the most populous states in
the West African country and the commercial capital, various regions
are drawing up plans for state-level interventions.
Nigeria also has embarked on a cash transfer scheme. Confirming this
Sadiya Farouk, minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management
and social development, said that the government has commenced cash
transfers to the poorest households in the country to give them a
reprieve from the pandemic.
The Federal Government of Nigeria had identified 10 million
individuals from a population of 200 million in 35 states as the
poorest and vulnerable segment of the population for targeted focus
to ameliorate their difficulties. Federal capital Abuja is under
lockdown so also two more states as a precaution to stem the spread of
the infection. The number of infected persons as of now is very small
in a relative sense at 131. Two people have been declared dead. Of the
total number of infected cases, more than 60% are from Abuja, the
capital city.
Africa’s most expansive and profitable airline, Ethiopian Airlines has
suspended flights to over 80 destinations due to the impact of
COVID-19. However, the cargo operations are running as scheduled to
ensure adequate supply of goods and materials not only for Ethiopia
but also for various neighboring countries. The decision to suspend
the domestic operations of Africa’s most reliable and profitable
airline, which boosts of a fleet strength of over 90, is seemingly
the sharp decline in the number of domestic passengers. According to
the airlines, there was a dip of 50% in the number of passengers, much
below the desired level that the airline can breakeven.
Ethiopian did take a number of health and safety measures, while in
operation , such as disinfection of all work areas, strictly
adhering to social distancing among employees and all associates of
the company, regular measurement of body temperature and instituting a
culture of proper hand washing.
The Airline had made deliveries of coronavirus donations by Chinese
businessman Jack Ma to 51 African countries and some European
countries. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmad earlier pledged that
his government would act as a focal point for distributing aid
received internationally to the rest of the countries in the
continent.
