Kwara expends N1.6b on COVID-19

Kwara State Government has spent N1.6 billion on COVID-19 pandemic, spokesperson of the state Technical Committee on COVID-19, Rafiu Ajakaye has said.

The breakdown of the spending, according to Ajakaye, include the running (cost) of the activities of the technical committee (N132,931,510); medical supplies and equipment (N713,480,100.90); palliatives (N525,277,030.00); COVID-related renovation works N149,928,753.80; and security, health workers’ allowances and logistics (N47,490,550.00).

Ajakaye, who is also Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s spokesperson said: “These expenses covered the purchase of military grade Toyota Land Cruiser Ambulances; automated ventilators and several other Intensive Care Unit (ICU) gadgets/equipment; production of hand sanitizers; and the cost of running the activities of the technical committee and its subcommittees.”

He added the expenses also included the cost of the palliatives distributed during the lockdown; renovation of the Sobi Specialist Hospital and the Hajj Camp; mass production of face masks, purchase of surgical masks, digital thermometers, N95 and respirator-sperien 5311, and other Personal Protective Equipment; medical supplies and consumables; security expenses; trainings; allowances for medical personnel and other supportive staff in charge of the pandemic; part-renovation of the Offa General Hospital as an isolation centre; and patients’ management, among others.

“It is important to add that the government has not spent a kobo from these donations as the funds have not been appropriated by the House of Assembly. However, materials including food stuffs donated have been distributed accordingly,” he said.

He also announced the receipt of N243m as financial donations from private individuals and corporate bodies between from March 27th.