By Priscilla Campbell,
Minna
The Niger State government has approved N400 million to combat the Coronavirus pandemic and offer palliatives to reduce challenges facing the people.
The chairman of the state Taskforce on COVID-19, who is also the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, said that out of the amount, N300 million would be used for palliatives for the people, particularly the vulnerable members of the society.
“Food items including gari, rice, beans and millet will be procured and distributed through the 274 political wards of the state. We will ensure that they are not hijacked by few individuals.”
Making the disclosure while briefing journalists on the activities of the taskforce in Minna, Matane said that the government has already released N74 million to the state Ministry of Health and Hospital Services for the purchase of medical facilities necessary in handling covid-19 cases.
The SSG said that so far a total of 12 isolation centres had been set up across the eight emirate councils of the state.
“Government has also procured two more ventilators bringing the total to 11, sanitizers, face masks, examination cloves, oxygen concentrator and oxygen delivery system.” Matane further disclosed a donation made by UBA to the tune of N28.5 million and medical items worth N6 million from the Chinese government to the state Covid-19 appeal fund.
