The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is giving nine states of the South South geo-political zone of the country the sum of N1.045 billion to the nine states of the Niger Delta region to fight the spread of the Coronavirus in the region.
Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, announced this in a statement issued, on Tuesday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Charles Odili.
Prof. Pondei, who directed immediate shutdown of NDDC operations in the states, said the fund would soon be released to authorities in the states.
The statement quoted him to have said that, “The interventionist agency will make available N775 million to support the nine states under its mandate.
“Also, additional N270 million will be released to fast-track the establishment of isolation centres in the 27 senatorial districts across the region.
He said the commission was also collaborating with stakeholders in the area of treatment of COVID-19 patients.
“We are exploring avenues to see if we could intervene in providing ventilators and facilitate the procurement of oxygen.
“We are also looking at the drugs that have been used so far in other climes for treatment. NDDC is going a step ahead of what others are doing,” Pondei added.
The managing director said the total shutdown of NDDC operations on March 30, was due to growing concerns over increasing new infections.
According to him, directors, heads as well as heads of units of security, plant operators and other essential workers would provide skeletal services during the shutdown. (NAN)
