Kwara Govt. Spends over 1.5bn on Covid-19

The Kwara State Government, says it has spent over One point Five billion Naira on the coronavirus pandemic (N1,569,107,944.70) between April 1 and June 29.

A statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, Rafiu Ajakaye in Ilorin, reveals that running (cost) of activities of the technical committee cost one hundred and thirty three million naira, medical supplies and equipment cost seven hundred and thirteen million naira.

It further reveals that over five hundred and twenty five million naira was spent on palliatives, COVID-related renovation works cost about one hundred and fifty million naira, while security, health workers’ allowances and logistics gulp forty seven point five million naira.

According to the statement, the expenses covers 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.

It explains that the expenses also include the cost of the palliatives that were 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, other Personal Protective Equipment.

According to the statement, other items include 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. 

The statement which announces that the government has received two hundred and forty three million naira (N243m) as financial donations from private individuals and corporate bodies between March 27th and now adds that a kobo from has not been spent from the donations as the funds have not been appropriated by the House of Assembly. 

Lawrence Afolabi.