By Edith Ike-Eboh
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has donated N70 million to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to support government efforts in containing the disease.
Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary, NCDMB, made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
Wabote said a letter communicating the donation had been handed over to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha.
He explained that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, who is also the Chairman of the NCDMB Governing Council, was passionate about the oil and gas industry’s support in the fight against COVID-19.
He noted that in spite of the board’s recent donation of ambulances and medical supplies to its host states of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers, the board considered it necessary to approve additional support to the national effort.
Responding, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation thanked NCDMB for the donation and assured that the items would be used judiciously in furtherance of the national response.
Mustapha added that medical equipment and relief materials were required in all states of the country.
He regretted that COVID-19 had become the biggest health challenge of our generation and every available resources would be required to contain it.
He charged Nigerians to take personal responsibility and obey all the guidelines issued for the easing of the lockdown.
Mustapha stressed that countries that had overcome the virus achieved the feat through the active cooperation of their citizens.
The SGF hinted that the pandemic had provided the perfect opportunity for Nigerians to promote Local Content in all facets of the economy.
He said that all countries of the world were scrambling for ventilators, test kits and other medical consumables, thereby spiking the cost of the items.
He said the development has underscored the urgency to focus on the local production of all critical items we need as a nation.
He added that focusing on local content in key sectors of the economy would also help to stop capital flight and create much needed jobs locally.
He confirmed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had begun to introduce a number of funding packages designed to promote medical, pharmaceutical and hospitality businesses. (NAN)
Credit: NAN