Nigerian government releases N386 million to fight Coronavirus

The Federal Government has released N386 million to two health agencies to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness to combat Coronavirus (COVID19).

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Mr Abdulaziz Mashi Abdulaziz,  told reporters in Abuja that  the amount was released by the government in two batches.

He said: “While the first batch of N71 million was released at the end of January to facilitate activities of the Port Health Services department of the ministry, the second was released after the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said the government had budgeted N620 million to curtail the virus from entering Nigeria when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Health.

“It is true that intervention was sought from the Presidency and the Ministry of Finance and Budget Planing.

“Because of the level of the emergency, I can confirm to you that N71million was released to the Port Health Services division of the (health) ministry.

“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), was also given N315 million directly. Other requests are in the pipeline and yet to be released,” he said.

– The Nation