ABUJA, April 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Bank Group has released 82 million dollars for immediate support in strengthening the public health response through the Regional Disease Surveillance System Enhancement Project (REDISSE).
The bank made this known in a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday. The bank explained that in addition, the World Bank had been asked to provide a multi-pronged package of support over the next six months to strengthen the country’s preparedness for the immediate health crisis.
The statement indicated that the World Bank would also provide the Federal Government with budget support for a pro-poor stimulus package and the long term recovery.
“Efforts to protect livelihoods and support local economic activities over the next 18 to 24 months will be critical in mitigating the economic and human impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Together with partners, the bank is discussing with the states and relevant federal agencies how best to protect livelihoods of poor and vulnerable families and support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to enable recovery.”
“Through the REDISSE project, about 10.6 million dollars has already been committed to support the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in strengthening states’ emergency operation centre, building, renovating and providing equipment for treatment centres across eight states.”
“As well as bringing in essential medical supplies and drugs, testing kits, Personal Protective Equipment for frontline health workers,” the bank said.
On Monday, Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed said Nigeria has requested $6.9 billion from multilateral lenders to combat the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Africa’s biggest economy.
Nigeria, whose revenues have tumbled with the fall in oil prices, has asked for $3.4 billion from the International Monetary Fund, $2.5 billion from the World Bank and $1 billion from the African Development Bank (AfDB), she said.
Africa’s most populous country and the continent’s biggest oil producer, which is still recovering from a recession caused by the last period of weak oil prices, had 232 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and five deaths, as of Sunday.
A two-week lockdown was imposed last week on Lagos state, home to the nation’s sprawling commercial hub, as well as neighbouring Ogun state and the capital territory of Abuja, in an effort to prevent the virus spreading across the country. — NNN-AGENCIES
