TheCable

The federal government has donated N200 million to the Lagos state government to help its quest to contain the spread of Ebola, minister of health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, said on Thursday.

According to the minister, the N200 million released to the Lagos state government was not part of the N1.9 billion approved by President Goodluck Jonathan for fighting Ebola in the country.

Dan Nwomeh, the media aide of the minister, said some corporate organisations had made “contributions” to the federal government’s control measures against Ebola in Nigeria.

“Aliko Dangote Foundation donated N152 million to sponsor the Ebola Emergency Operation Centre in Lagos,” he said.

“The ANAP Foundation founded by Mr Atedo Peterside informed the minister of health that the foundation would be supporting affected private hospitals to the tune of N100,000 per bed space.

“He also disclosed to the minister that the First Consultant Hospital in Lagos where the index case was managed would be the first beneficiary and that the hospital would receive N4 million since its bed capacity is 40.

“The Tony Elumelu Foundation has pledged a donation of N50 million to support the federal government’s containment efforts. Shell Petroleum Limited donated an ambulance to the Ebola Emergency Operation Centre in Lagos.”

Meanwhile, the minister of health also clarified that the N200 million approved by President Goodluck Jonathan to support the Lagos state government is not part of the N1.9 billion earlier released to the federal ministry of health.

“The N200 million is a distinct and direct federal government support to Lagos State and does not preclude other assistance that may be rendered to the state through the federal ministry of health.”

The Lagos state government has not confirmed receipt of the money as of the time of filing this report.