Controversy Arises Over N1.9 Billion Ebola Fund

Controversy has arisen over the N1.9 billion supposedly released by the Federal Government for the purpose of stopping the Ebola scourge.

The allocation of the money was announced by the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati.

Abati said on August 8:

“President Jonathan also approved a Special Intervention Plan and the immediate release of N1. 9 billion for its implementation, to further strengthen on-going steps to contain the virus such as the establishment of additional isolation centres, case management, contact tracing, deployment of additional personnel, screening at borders, and the procurement of required items and facilities.”

However, the Nigerian Health Minister Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu said yesterday, August 26, 2014 that the money is to be used to buy cars and other equipment for the ministry of health.

According to him:

“The N1.9billion approved by the president was for the federal ministry of health. It is not for Ebola fund. It will be used to procure more vehicles for working which have been ordered. It would be used to procure more drugs that have been ordered… and other items.

“In the case of Lagos state, after the president met commissioners of health, the president then asked the minister of health to discuss with the technical people and money has been approved for Lagos state”

Onyebuchi announced yesterday that the Ebola virus has been contained and that only one confirmed case is remaining in the country.