The Federal Government has provided N102.5 billion in resources for direct interventions in the health sector, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed has said.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday on fiscal stimulus measures in response to COVID-19 pandemic and oil prices fiscal shock in Abuja, Mrs. Ahmed explained N6.5 billion of the sum went into Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC’s) for critical expenditure.
She said that the Federal Government remained committed to supporting the states in these difficult times, particularly those states that were currently battling with the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to her, Lagos State was provided with N10 billion in emergency funding.
She stated that as the situation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other states at the forefront of the government’s efforts unfolds, there will be explicit agreement with the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC to determine when funds would be released to the affected states and the FCT.
She said: “More funds are to be provided from the proposed COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund to address emerging and priority funding needs as these arise.
“To complement these initiatives, we are taking steps to activate, release and, where necessary, enhance the hazard allowances provided in the remuneration structure of the federal health sector workers. The Federal Government enjoins the affected states to take similar measures.
