The President of the Republic, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé addressed to the Nation, Wednesday, April 1, on the health crisis of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and the national response against this pandemic. The intervention, broadcast on National Television and official digital broadcasting channels, was the opportunity for the Togolese n ° 1 to remind the gravity of the current situation and to make big announcements in order to curb the epidemic.
Main flagship measure, the establishment of a state of health emergency for a period of 03 months. Matching, the implementation of a curfew from April 2, 2020, until further notice between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. "This provision of our Constitution, never implemented in the recent history of our Nation, is proof of the gravity of the situation we are facing," said the President of the Republic.
In order to ensure compliance with these provisions, a joint special anti-pandemic force, made up of 5,000 defense and security agents, is created by decree. "No deviation or failure will be tolerated," warned the Head of State.
A series of social measures…
Faure Gnassingbé also announced in the process a series of social measures, including the launch in the coming days of a program of cash transfers to the people most affected by the crisis and by the measures announced, free for a period of 03 months of water and electricity for social groups, or the reduction of connection costs for water from 75 to 25,000 FCFA. "Faced with this ordeal, national solidarity will be there to help the poorest of us, the weakest, the most disadvantaged," he reassured.
… And economical
In order to best preserve economic activity from the consequences of this crisis, the government has been asked to "explore all possibilities" in this direction. Specific measures to support agricultural production and ensure self-sufficiency in food should be announced soon, as well as those to support consumption, production, job protection or the tax situation of businesses.
Meanwhile, the Togolese n ° 1 has announced the creation of a National Fund and Economic Solidarity of 400 billion FCFA. "This Fund will be funded by the government, mobilizations with international partners, the national and international private sector and all goodwill," said Faure Gnassingbé.
The President of the Republic then greeted all the men and women on the front line against this invisible scourge and who work tirelessly, and called on both to strictly respect barrier gestures and instructions. "We have no choice but to fight it," he said. "This battle, we will fight it and we will win it together", declared the President of the Republic.
Source: republiquetogolaise.tg