Federal Government has approved N8.49 billion for purchase of 12 items to enable the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) conduct COVID-19 testing.
The approval was given at the 11th virtual FEC meeting presided over by the President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, August 12.
The approval came after the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire presented the memo for the procurement on behalf of the centre at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has revealed that 85 local government areas (LGAs) in 20 states still remain with no testing done and no case reported.
Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, disclosed this at the daily briefing of the presidential task force on COVID-19 in Abuja.
According to the chairman of the COVID-19 task force, over time tests have been ramped up in Nigeria but more needs to be done in order to raise the quantum of test per million.
The SGF went on to note that though the numbers of confirmed cases daily are low, it should not be misinterpreted to mean that the country has overcome as the country.
According to him, the country is yet to reach the peak of the pandemic and that low testing rate contributed to the daily turn out.
