Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has announced the receipt of N243 million as donations from private individuals and corporate bodies.
The donations were received from March 27 till date.
The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, made this known on Friday in a statement issued in Ilorin.
Ajakaye, who is also the spokesman of the state COVID-19 committee, said that the donations were meant to assist the government in respect of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The state government is most grateful for these gestures from distinguished philanthropists and organisations, including citizens whose contributions were borne out of patriotism than the size of their pockets,” he added.
Ajakaye also said that a total of N1,569,107,944.70 had been expended on the pandemic between April 1 and June 29.
“The breakdowns are running (cost) of the activities of the technical committee, N132,931,510 and medical supplies and equipment, N713,480,100.90.
“Others were palliatives, N525,277,030; COVID-19-related renovation works, N149,928,753.80 and security, health workers’ allowances and logistics, N47,490,550.
“These expenses covered the purchase of Toyota Land Cruiser ambulances, automated ventilators and several other Intensive Care Unit (ICU) gadgets/equipment.
“Others were production of hand sanitiser and the cost of running the activities of the technical committee and its subcommittees,” he stated.
Ajakaye added that the expenses also included the cost of the palliatives distributed during the lockdown as well as the renovation of the Sobi Specialist Hospital and the Hajj Camp.
Others, he said, were mass production of face masks, purchase of surgical masks, digital thermometers, N95 and respirator-sperien 5311, personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as medical supplies and consumables.
“The rest were security expenses, trainings, allowances for medical personnel and other supportive staff in charge of the pandemic, partial renovation of the Offa General Hospital as an isolation centre and patients’ management, among others.
“It is important to add that government has not spent a kobo from these donations, as the funds have not been appropriated by the House of Assembly.
“However, the materials including the foodstuffs donated, have been distributed accordingly,” he added.
Source: NAN
