(Minna)
South Korean government, through the United Nations Habitat Programme (UN-Habitat), has donated $25,000 to support Niger state government in its commitments toward preventing the spread of corona virus in the state.
Duaglobalnews gathered that the first project the money will be utilized for is the construction of a smart-metered solar borehole to provide steady portable water supply to the isolation centre where COVID-19 patients are kept at the Minna General Hospital.
A statement from the office of the Secretary to Niger State Government (SSG), Ibrahim, Matane who is also the Chairman of the state Task Force on COVID-19, said the money would also be used for other purposes.
The SSG further hinted that the, $25, 000 would also be used for the execution of two other demonstration projects, to help curb further spread of COVID-19 pandemic for the state which has far recorded 22 index cases from mainly people on transit.
Matane said, “The second project is the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Face Shields or masks and as well Hand Sanitizers to frontline health workers that come in direct contact with carriers of the virus in isolation centres across the state.”
The state Task force Chairman further disclosed that plans were to ensure speedy completion of the projects, adding that the project would be commissioned by the South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria.
According to him, the ambasdador would in turn hand over the facilities to the Niger state government.
Matane, who expressed appreciation to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello on behalf of the government and people of Niger state to the UN-Habitat and South Korea however commended Niger State Urban Support Programme (NSUSP) for securing the grant for the state.
Duaglobalnews tecalls that South Korean government had earlier approved $900, 000 grant to Niger state government to enable it prepare for the State Urban Development Policy.
