The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has reiterated its commitment to the procurement and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines for use in Nigeria. This was part of resolutions reached by state governors after a virtual meeting held on Wednesday. A communiqué of the meeting which was signed by the Chairman of the NGF, Governor Kayode Fayemi, of Etiki State, was made public, on Thursday.
It read in part, “On the current conversation on the COVID-19 pandemic, which is focused on making vaccines available as soon as possible to Nigerians, the Chairman called on all relevant agencies and public-spirited organisations involved in the procurement of vaccines to work amicably to ensure that the vaccines arrive the country quickly.
“He announced that the NGF will shortly inaugurate an advisory group of experts to provide high-level strategic guidance and support to the NGF on the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines in the short time and the local production of vaccines in the medium to long term.
“The Forum is also engaging directly with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to ensure that vaccines are administered equitably, first to workers who are on the frontlines of the pandemic.”
The governors also deliberated on the underutilisation of fiscal facilities in the country, including the Universal Basic Education Fund, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and the Saving One Million Lives programme for results, which are meant to expand the size and scope of resources spent on health and education across all states of the federation.
By John Alechenu,
The Punch