As part of the efforts made by the Federal Government to combat the Ebola Virus Disease, the authorities of Rivers State have on Friday, October 11 disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan had released the sum of N200 million to the state as promised.
This was made known through the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker who showed immense appreciation to the Federal Government for keeping to their words in ensuring the deadly virus is permanently kicked out of the state.
Parker admitted that the virus has been non-existence in the country for a while as no new case has been recorded. However, he noted that there was no cause for relaxation owing to the fact that the disease still lingers in neighbouring countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone which places other countries including Nigeria at risk of a re-introduction of the disease.
According to Punch, Parker said, “We thank President Jonathan for graciously releasing the N200million he promised to give to the state to assist us in tackling Ebola. We have received the money.
“Ebola was still ravaging Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. With what we are hearing that is happening in other parts of the world, the ocean cannot stop EVD from travelling.”
Furthermore, he stated: “So, we have to redouble our efforts this time around in the areas of vigilance, surveillance and monitoring. Our treatment centre here is still open. The operations centre is still on. Surveillance is still going on. Point of entry are still been monitored. Screening is still going on.”
