The Federal Government has directed all government offices and schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to be shut down during the hosting of World Economic Forum Africa holding in Abuja from 7th to 9th of this month.
The directive contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, also appealed to private organizations with large number of staff to follow suit.
“This is to inform the general public that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved, as part of arrangements for the successful hosting of the World Economic Forum Africa, that all Government Offices and Schools in the Federal Capital Territory, except those on essential services, are to be closed from Wednesday, 7th to Friday, 9th May, 2014.”
“Private Organisations with large number of staff may also wish to close down. This is to ease the flow of traffic within the city and enable participants carry out their assigned roles and participate actively at the World Economic Forum Africa,” it stated.
Earlier in the day, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had issued a statement urging delegates due for the World Economic Forum “not to let terror win” by staying away after a second bombing in the capital in less than three weeks.
“We want to state categorically that the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration will not be diverted nor will it give in to these nefarious acts of terrorism. The government has taken the strongest measures to ensure a safe forum. We ask participants not to let terror win.”
However, despite the repeated assurances on security, there were signs not all delegates were convinced that Nigerian authorities could keep the capital safe during the event.
Fernando de Sousa, General Manager of Microsoft Africa Initiatives, canceled his trip “for security reasons following the bombings in Abuja”, a PR company representing the firm said.
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