By Dayo Omoogun
The recently set-up Private Sector Coalition Against COVID 19 (CACOVID) being spearheaded and coordinated by the Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) has swung into action by establishing medical facilities in the six geo-political zones of the country.
According to the statement signed by the Corporate Communications Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria Isaac Okorafor, the facilities are located in Lagos, Kano, Rivers, Enugu, Borno states and Abuja.
“We are pleased to announce that work has begun in earnest to provide and equip medical facilities in the six geopolitical zones. This will involve the creation of testing, isolation and treatment centers, and include the provision of Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and molecular testing labs.
“We have started with Lagos (1,000 beds), Kano (500 beds), Rivers (210 beds) Abuja (200 beds), Enugu (200 beds) and Borno (200 beds) and expect to be operational within 10 days. The next phase will see locations set up in Katsina, Ogun, Bayelsa, Anambra, Bauchi and Plateau to be ready within three weeks. The remaining states of the Federation will be set up in the last phase within the next five weeks”, the statement said.
The Coalition also intends to establish a permanent structure in Lagos in view of the city’s huge population and its status as the epicentre of the crisis.
The statement also disclosed the body’s account details domiciled with the CBN as follows:
Currency
Account Name
Account Number
Correspondent Bank
Nigerian Naira
COVID-19 Relief fund Account
1000014920
Central Bank of Nigeria
US Dollars
CBN TSA USD
0017575300
CitiBank UK
“We shall provide a weekly update to keep you apprised of how this life-saving initiative is being addressed and a monthly financial update to the contributors” the statement added.