The Kwara State Government has budgeted the sum of N8.3bn for the management of Coronavirus diseases in 2021.
According to the approved budget, 6.1percent of the N137bn total expenditure is earmarked for the virus and tagged “COVID-19 responsive expenditures”.
Giving the breakdown, the government set aside N240,000,000 for General Public Services; 4,817,048,512 for Economic Affairs; N300,000,000 Environmental Protection; N1,047,660,161 for Housing and Community Amenities and N1,265,450,000 for health.
This gives a total capital expenditure of N7,670,158,673 and total expenditure (budget size) of 8,392,065,373.
2020: State spent N1.5bn on COVID-19 in 3 months
The state government last year said it spent a total of N1.56billion on the pandemic between April 1st to June 29th, 2020.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Kwara state Governor, Rafiu Ajakaiye gives the breakdowns as: running (cost) of the activities of the technical committee (N132,931,510); medical supplies and equipment (N713,480,100.90); palliatives (N525,277,030.00); COVID-related renovation works N149,928,753.80; and security, health workers’ allowances and logistics (N47,490,550.00).
The government however refused to give details of the amount spent on the virus’ management for subsequent months, thus raising suspicion among members of the public.
Kwara COVID-19 cases near 2000
Meanwhile, the total number of virus cases recorded in Kwara State has reached 1,999 as of January 29, 2021.
This is as no fewer than 45 patients have died of coronavirus-related complications in the state.
According to the data released by the government, the state has 344 active cases while 1,610 patients have recovered.