Senators have agreed to contribute fifty per cent of their salaries to support the efforts being made to contain the spread and treatment of Coronavirus victims in Nigeria.

The Senate says the monthly donation from the one hundred and nine senators will be sustained until the pandemic is wiped out of the country.

It commends the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari and the administration towards the goal of securing the nation against the plague.

Senate Committee Vice Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Godiya Akwashiki, revealed this in a statement in Abuja.

The Senate is willing and ready to do whatever is required of the Legislature for the effectiveness of all the measures in place now or that may be required in the future to win the fight against this menace.

The Senate commends all agencies of the federal and state levels for working in collaboration to protect public health across the country.

It also acknowledges the patriotic response of public-spirited individuals and organisations who have contributed in one way or the other in support of this fight.”

He appealed to citizens to comply with the directives on social distancing and observance of basic rules of hygiene as explained by public health officials as the most effective way for protection of oneself, families and country against COVID-19.

“This is a global adversity that is testing the wit and resilience of mankind all over the world. By staying resolute and each of us responsibly playing their role, COVID-19 like all epidemics before it will soon be pushed into history,” Akwashiki said.

The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country has risen to 111, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced late Sunday in an update on its website.

“On the 29th of March 2020, fourteen (14) new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Nigeria,” it announced, referring to the official name of the coronavirus.