FG Approves N3bn For NCDC Laboratory Equipment — Ehanire

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire on Wednesday said the Federal Government has approved N3.07bn for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to purchase various laboratory equipment across the country.

The Health Minister disclosed this after the Federal Executive Council  (FEC) meeting held in Abuja.

According to him, “The Ministry of Health presented a memo on behalf of NCDC public health laboratory specialist and for the Centre for Disease Control.

“It is for six contracts for laboratory equipment and the total worth of N3,070,892,988 for various equipment and supply, to strengthen the work of NCDC in various parts of the country, to be more ready for the work they do in diagnostics preparedness, not only for COVID-19 but for any other disease outbreak of public interest in the future.”

However, Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Works and Housing said the council approved the revised estimate total cost of the Enugu-Onitsha Highway which is N8.65bn.

“Variation was to cater for the change of the pavement surface, the binder course and the wearing course to increase thickness and also to utilise modified bitumen and also to strengthen the shoulders and some bridge works.

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“Council approved the variation of N8.649bn in favour of Niger Construction,” he said.

The Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba, said the council approved a memo on the reviewed National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan 2020 to 2043.

He said, “The maiden Master Plan was from 2014 to 2043 and embedded in it as a living document is that it ought to be reviewed every five years. There are about seven asset classes that are contained in the master plan.

“This is in the areas of transportation, energy, ICT, agriculture, water and mining, social infrastructure, housing and regional development, security and vital registration.

“The maiden edition didn’t have the macroeconomic framework embedded in it but with the reviewed update that has been approved today by the council, it includes macro-economic framework.

“It also allows for the establishment of the National Council on Infrastructure under the Chairmanship of the Vice President to provide policy direction and infrastructure-related materials.”