… To purchase 7,887 dialysis consumables for seven hospitals
… Okays deal with Spain on criminals reparations
By Egena Sunday Ode
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday approved several road construction projects across states in Nigeria at a cost of about N1.455 trillion.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the State House, Abuja, after the FEC meeting said the projects cut across thirteen states of the federation.
The projects were mostly those the Council stepped down during its July 10 meeting as a result of lack of funds.
They projects included the rehabilitation of Abeokuta-Iboro-Ilaro Road in Ogun state, valued at N57 billion; Mubi to Maiduguri Road section three, worth N89 billion; and Mubi to Maiduguri Section Two, valued at N67 billion.
Other approved projects included the Benin-Akure-Ilesha Road, valued at N525 billion; Benin-Akure, by Ilesha, valued at N286 billion; Angingali-Udobi-Udona-Umo-Uwana-Ubalaka in Imo state, valued at N26.46 billion; and the rehabilitation of Aba-Owerri Road, valued at N21 billion.
The Minister also announced the approval of projects in Cross Rivers State, valued at N79 billion; Enugu-Port Harcourt, valued at N83 billion; Igomu bridge, valued at N19.87 billion; Umuahia to Aba, valued at N90 billion; and Ore-Ondo-Akure Road, valued at N134 billion.
The FEC also approved the construction of Ofin-Oreta Road, Ikorodu in Lagos state, valued at N27.9 billion.
The Council also approved the purchase of 7,887 dialysis consumables to enhance healthcare access for Nigerians with kidney diseases.
The Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Work, Prof Ali Pate, who disclosed this to newsm at the briefing, said the approvals aims to address the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
The consumables will be distributed across seven federal tertiary hospitals, including the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the National Hospital in Abuja.
Pate harped on the importance of prevention alongside treatment, revealing plans for public health screenings and lifestyle modifications to reduce future cases of kidney disease.
He explained: “In continuation of the President’s efforts including reducing the cost of access to health care services considering the vast non-communicable disease that we experience in Nigeria, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, several vascular diseases, the council today approved the one of purchase of 7,887 sets of dialysis consumables, for the use of Nigerians who are suffering from chronic disease in seven of our federal tertiary hospitals.
“These hospitals are the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, the Federal Medical Center in Ebuta Metta, the Federal Medical Center in Owerri, the National Hospital, Abuja, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, the University Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.”
Pate said the effort is geared towards making the cost of treatment affordable for those who suffer from integral disease through dialysis.
“It’s a start. But dealing with kidney disease requires not only dialysis but also prevention. That’s part of the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that we prevent cases of hypertension, diabetes that progress to kidney disease. We’re looking at screening so that Nigerians will be able to screen themselves for hypertension and diabetes but also get the lifestyle modification so that we have fewer and fewer people requiring dialysis.
“But for those who are affected, we know that the cost of access to that is a major impediment. This effort by Mr. President is to bring relief within the context of several other policy measures to ensure that Nigerians have access to critical healthcare services.
With this approval, we’ll provide those and I think it will bring relief to many Nigerians and their families for accessing dances, services. They’re very much needed in our country,” he said.
Also addressing journalists at the post-FEC briefing, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved three key memos aimed at combating crime and corruption in Nigeria.
Fagbemi outlined a comprehensive strategy involving investigation, prosecution, and post-conviction processes, emphasizing international cooperation, particularly with Spain. The agreements facilitate the exchange of information, assistance in apprehending fugitives, and the transfer of convicted individuals to serve sentences in their home countries.
He asserted that these measures ensure that criminals cannot evade justice, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a robust legal framework.
