COVID-19 : Buhari replaces PTF with presidential steering committee

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the transition of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19.

The PTF Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha announced this during the task force’s media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

The transitioning of the body, which has managed the nation’s national response to the outbreak of COVID-19, came over a year after PTF was constituted by the President.

Boss Mustapha said the new structure, which will still be headed by him, will function till the end of 2021.

He said the PSC will focus on ensuring effectiveness in the rollout of the vaccine and promote policies that will result in the development of the country’s health sector.

“Mr President has considered the report and has approved the following: That the PTF will transition to a presidential steering committee on COVID-19, effective from 1st April 2021, with a modified mandate to reflect the non-emergent status of COVID-19 as a potentially long-term pandemic,” the SGF said.

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“That the structure of the PSC shall reflect the new focus of the response with a targeted approach on vaccine oversight, risk communication, international travel quarantine processes and sub-national engagement.

He also disclosed among other terms of operation of the PSC, Dr Mukhtar Muhammad, who had functioned as National Incident Manager (NIM) of the PTF, will officially take over the office of the National Coordinator from Dr Sani Aliyu, who has returned to the United Kingdom (UK) to resume his private practice.