Rivers State Commissioner of Finance, Isaac Kamalu (left); Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim and Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi briefing journalists after the Rivers State Executive Council meeting…yesterday.  PHOTO: NAN<br />

Rivers State Executive Council has given approval for the state to access its share of the Healthcare Support Credit Facility Fund established by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). 

The approval was given at its meeting that was presided over by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu said that CBN floated the fund in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic to cushion the impact of COVID-19 on national and sub-national economies.

Kamalu said the council gave the approval to enable the state to access the N2. 5 billion facilities from the CBN.

He said: “The N2.5 billion is structured into two components. N2 billion will be for healthcare infrastructure support and N500 million as revolving credit for medical consumables.”

The commissioner explained that Rivers State Government would use the fund to establish a world-class Radiotherapy Centre and Department at the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Treatment and Diagnostic Centre in Port Harcourt.

Part of the money, he said, would be channeled towards the upgrade of healthcare facilities at the Prof. Kesley Harrison Hospital and the Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital in Port Harcourt.

“As you are aware, the facility has been utilised by virtually all the states and Rivers State is among the few that are yet to utilise the facility.

“So, the government has, in its wisdom, thought it necessary that this facility should be accessed so that members of the public, as well as those living in the state, can utilise the outcome of this in terms of medical service provision,” he added.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, said the council approved the sum of N8.2 billion for the construction of the 10th flyover at Rumuokwurushi-Elimgbu axis in Obio/Akpor council of the state.

Tasie-Amadi said the project to be completed within 12 months, would benefit various sectors of the economy of the state, members of the public, particularly real estate developers.

“The total length is 840 metres comprising 526.5 metres bridge and 313 metres of the transition zone to the bridge. The width is 17.6 metres in dual carriage configuration and it will feature service lanes, middle terms, pedestal crossing, streets and traffic lights.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, noted that the approval by the council has given impetus for an expansion of existing healthcare facilities and revamp of moribund ones that will further serve the healthcare needs of Rivers people.