The Federal Government on Wednesday earmarked the sum of N8.49 billion for purchase of 12 assorted items for COVID-19 testing by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The approval was made by the Federal Executive Council during its virtual meeting at the State House, Abuja.
The approval was sequel to a memo for the procurement which was presented by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, on behalf of the NCDC at the meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, Ehanire said the aim is to help the country address community transmission of the pandemic, which has affected 586 Local Government Areas of the country.
“The Ministry of Health presented a memo on behalf of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to procure materials for preparation for the COVID-19 pandemic, which is ravaging every part of the world including our country.
“This is part of the preparedness for community transmission which is going on now and has affected over 586 Local Government Areas and we need the materials so as to be able to expand our testing and diagnostic capabilities.
“This memo is as a result of the Presidential task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and the Special Intervention Funds managed by the PTF, which allocated these resources for the NCDC preparedness,” he said.
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