The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the World Bank N3.7 billion COVID-19 response support to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The MoU on the “Nigeria COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project (Nigeria CoPREP) was jointly signed yesterday by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (on behalf of the NGF) and NCDC Chairman Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu signed for his organisation”.
Fayemi lauded the NCDC and the World Bank for their supports to the states, especially in tackling COVID-19 pandemic.
He said they have been of great assistance to the states and the FCT.
Fayemi said the governors saw the fund as a vehicle to help states to enhance health infrastructure, particular at the primary healthcare level and work more with other relevant agencies.
The governor said the support fund, when finally accessed by states, would go a long way in the development of the health facilities.
Ihekweazu said the MoU for the N3.7 billion, which will go to each state at N100 million each and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was to enable states to access the fund, which would be paid directly to their dedicated account, after meeting the necessary requirements.
He said the objective of the fund was to prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19 at the states-level in Nigeria.
World Bank’s Operations Manager Kathleen Whimp said the signing of the MoU was an opportunity for NCDC to reach states better and to strengthen its engagement with them.
By Eric Ikhilae,
The Nation