COVID-19: Lai Mohammed Speaks On FG Sharing N15 Billion Donations To Nigerians For Lockdown

Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has explained why the Federal Government cannot share to Nigerians the funds donated by private Nigerians and organizations for the fight against Coronavirus (COVID19).

Naija News reports that over N15 billion have been donated by private Nigerians and organizations under the auspice “COVID-19 Relief Fund” to the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

This online news platform understands that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)announced the donations, Nigerians have called on the government to share the N15 billion donated as palliatives during the lockdown over the Coronavirus pandemic.

Reacting to the call, Mohammed who was featured on a Radio Nigeria programme on Tuesday, April 14, said the Federal government does not have the power to distribute the N15 billion donations.

The Minister of Information explained that the private individuals and organizations came together to donate the funds and asked the Federal government how they can help to effectively fight the pandemic.

Mohammed said the Federal government has advised the private individuals to use their donations to help develop the healthcare infrastructure in the country.

“The private sector donors are not giving any cash to the federal government and they have made this clear to the people. They said they will support the fight against the pandemic by asking government where they want healthcare infrastructure to be provided.

“What government has done is to request them to build a 30-bed isolation ward and a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit in each state in the country. In addition, the federal government has given them a list of equipment and commodities that will also be needed. Therefore, the issue of using their donations to provide palliative cannot arise.” Mohammed said