COVID-19: Lai Muhammed Speaks On Ministers Receiving 500, 000 For Sitting Allowance

Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed has debunked the viral rumour that all members of the Presidential Task Force COVID-19 have received a sum of 500,000 nairas.

Brandnewsday reports that the Minister for Information and Culture made this known on Wednesday while addressing the public at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 team over the coronavirus pandemic facing the world.

In his words, Muhammed said when he started receiving news that members of Presidential Task Force COVID-19 have received half a million has a weekly entitlement.

”When I started seeing the viral news that we have received half a million as a sitting allowance, I asked my colleagues if I am not part of the Task Force anymore,” Muhammed explained.

The minister added that ”I started receiving calls and messages this morning on the phone when people started saying they need help because they have nothing to eat and no money. I know that they don’t need help they were only acting on the rumour.”

Read: Coronavirus: Why Nigeria Government Needs $7 Billion Loan

He, therefore, tell all Nigerians to ignore the rumour and described it as ‘fake news’.

Speaking further the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force COVID-19, Boss Mustapha emphasises none of the members of the committee has received any penny. Added that they have been spending their money during their walk throughout the states of the federation.

Mustapha further disclosed that Nigeria will come out stronger after the deadly virus has passed away.

In his statement, coronavirus is real and Nigerians should stay safe and keep to social-distancing in order to remain alive.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has on Wednesday, disclosed that the total confirmed cases of the Coronavirus have jumped to 254, 44 discharged and 6 death has so far been recorded.

However, over 1.2 million people have contracted the virus across the globe, while over 272,115 have recovered while 72, 000 people have reportedly died from the novel COVID-19 pandemic.