The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has expressed displeasure over
Saturday eventheld in Abuja despite the ban on large gatherings amid the
coronavirus pandemic.
The PUNCH reports that hip-hop artiste, Azeez Fashola, alias Naira
Marley, held a concert at the Jabi Lake Mall on Saturday in
contravention of the PTF directive geared towards curbing the spread of
the virus.
The event, which had a lot of people in attendance, has come under intense criticisms lately.
PTF National Coordinator, Sani Aliyu, noted during a briefing on Monday that the PTF supports any sanctionagainst the musician.
Aliyu, however, stated that the Federal Capital Territory Administration
will take the decision on whether to penalise the artiste or not.
He said, “With regards to the fate of Naira Marley, I believe the FCT
authorities have already taken action – with regards to the chief
organisers.
“But the decision on whether or not he will face penalties etc is
actually a decision of the FCT authorities. The PTF will always support
any measures taken against people who continue to violate the guidelines
we have put in place, particularly if they are putting public health at
risk.”
Also, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control,
Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the Centre has no plan to trace the attendees of
the event.
Ihekweazu said, “On the plan whether we are going to track the people
that came for the Naira Marley concert, no; we are a lot more important
work to do than to do that but if we have a positive from that
community, we have a problem. We do have a problem if we have someone
that went to that gathering and turn positive. We hope that doesn’t
happen.”
