The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 have contributed N19.48 billion as at April 3, 2020 to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
In a statement released Friday, CBN said N3.4 billion pledges are yet to be redeemed. The pledges are from Chief Mike Adenuga (N1 billion), Lafarge Plc (N1 billion), MTN Nigeria Plc, (N1 billion) and Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (N400 million).
The list of contributors includeCBN N2 billion; Dangote Industries Limited, N2 billion; BUA Sugar Refinery, N1 billion; Guaranty Trust Bank, N1 billion; United Bank for Africa, N1 billion; First Bank of Nigeria Limited, N1 billion; Zenith Bank plc, N1 billion; Access Bank Plc, N1 billion; Amperion Power Distribution Limited, N1 billion; Modupe & Folorunsho Alakija of Famfa Oil, N1 billion; and African Steel Mills Limited, N1 billion.
Others are Pacific Holding Limited, N500 million and Union Bank Plc, N250 million. Sterling Bank plc, Standard Chartered Bank Limited, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Citibank Nigeria Limited, First City Monument Bank, Fidelity Bank and Ecobank Plc donated N250 million each.
Wema Bank plc, Unity Bank plc, Polaris Bank Plc, among others donated N100 million each.
The COVID-19 Relief Fund naira account was opened last week in the CBN with account number -1000014920 while the CBN TSA USD account number – 0017575300 was opened at the Citibank UK, the correspondent bank.
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele had said collections into the accounts will be allowed within two weeks, and that anyone can make contributions into the accounts, but only companies and individuals that contribute at least N1 billion will be in the Funding Committee.
In a statement, CBN Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, said the release of the donation list followed earlier pledge to provide weekly update on the contributions to the Relief Fund.
The Nigerian Private Sector Coalition had promised to equip medical facilities in six geopolitical zones in the country .
“The world is currently battling a global health crisis as COVID-19 spreads rapidly through many countries. Currently, cases of the virus have been reported among individuals across Nigeria and there is a high risk of the virus spreading through much of the population, if we do not come together to fight this battle. Necessitating, the introduction of the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID),” the CBN had said.
It disclosed that work had begun in earnest to provide and equip medical facilities in the six geopolitical zones. This will, it added, 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 group said.
Also, based on the population of Lagos, and the fact that it is the epicenter of this crisis, the group will also be creating a permanent structure within the next four to six months.
