- To build one COVID-19 testing centre in the State
- To spend a total of N125 million
Key stakeholders in Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday rolled out some bold palliatives aimed at cushioning the effect of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns on its citizens.
The party stakeholders, led by the former Governor of the State and Vice Presidential candidate of the party in the 2019 general election, Mr Peter Obi, raised a total of N125m million for the purpose of helping to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
In a statement from the party signed by Mrs Chidi Onyemelukwe and Barr Okoli Akirika
Chairman and Secretary of Anambra State PDP Palliative Committee respectively and Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, State PDP Chairman, Anambra State thanked party faithfuls “for abiding by the rules and regulations prescribed by the Federal and State governments in the fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“We thank our heroes and heroines in the field, our health care workers, who are at the fore front of this fight. We mourn our compatriots who have lost their lives to this pandemic. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones. May God comfort and strengthen you and us all. We also thank the Federal government and the Anambra State government for all their efforts through the period of the lockdown and continuing.
“We equally appreciate the Anambra State PDP Leadership, Legislators and Stakeholders, and other well-meaning Ndi Anambra in different communities, who, in spite of the difficult times, made noticeable and laudable sacrifices to help reduce the hardship experienced by our people in different towns and villages across the State.
“This COVID-19 pandemic calls for synergy by all stakeholders as the pandemic requires all of us to work together as a family because, it neither respects political position, tribal origin and religious affiliation, nor has it any form of sentiments whatsoever. It affects all of us same way and manner, and we all must fight it together as a family and for humanity.
“With the announced relaxation of the lockdown, the PDP Family in Anambra State is aware of the challenges facing the less privileged ones amongst us. While we know that the Federal government and the Anambra State government will, and have been doing a lot to help the people restart their lives,we in PDP Anambra deem it imperative as a party and as a people to, once again, rise up and support our people, especially the most vulnerable ones, to get back on their feet.
“We are therefore committing the sum of N125,000,000 (One hundred and twenty five million naira) towards this purpose. In line with our strict position of ensuring accountability and transparency to the public on contributions and expenditures, we wish to give a breakdown of what the N125,000,000entails as follows: “Anambra State, owing to it’s economic and commercial importance to our nation, deserves to have a COVID-19 testing lab in place. PDP Anambra state, is therefore committing to setting up a standard COVID-19 testing lab within 21 days of adequate space being provided by either the Anambra State Government or in the alternative, the Federal Government.
“We are therefore requesting the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Anambra State Government to provide us a space either at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi; the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu OjukwuUniversity Teaching Hospital, Awka; or any of the hospitals in Anambra State, donated to the Federal Government by the Catholic Church; to set up a standard COVID-19 testing lab for this purpose.
“We will be donating to each community in Anambra State the sum of N300,000 (three hundred thousand naira). This will enable the communities to give 60 least privileged persons/families in each community N5000 (five thousand naira) each, to help them start life again and contribute to their business revival in this post lockdown era. While there are 179 communities in Anambra State, there are some additional areas that, we believe, need to be accommodated. For example Onitsha Urban area (Onitsha North and Onitsha South LGA), Obosi town (Obosi Urban and Obosi Village), Okpoko area in Ogbaru etc, are some of the communities we considered as 2-in-1.”
In addition, the party said that a total of N105,000 (One hundred and five thousand naira) will be used to provide food, cash and other items, as palliatives, directly to each of the 326 wards in the State.
The party statement listed the donors that contributed the funds to include Anambra PDP BoT Members, Anambra State PDP Chairman and Executives, Mr. Peter Obi (N40 million) Senators Stella Oduah and Uche Ekwunife (N10 million each), Honourables Chukwuka Onyema, Chris Azubogu, Obinna Chidoka, Lynda Ikpeazu, Vincent Ofumelu and Samuel Onwuaso all provided N5 million each.
Others include Chief Linus Ukachukwu (N5 million), Dr. Godwin Maduka (N3 million), Mr. Valentine Ozigbo and Chief Obiorah Okonkwo (N2.5 million), Chief Ugo Nsofor (N2 million), Honourables Ebele Ejiofor, Onyebuchi Offor, Johnbosco Akaegbobi, Somtochukwu Udeze, Noble Igwe and Douglas Egbuna contributed N1 million each.
Others who provided N1 million each include Chief Okey Ezeibe, Chief Godwin Ezemo, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, Chief Ifedi Okwena, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze, Chief Ike Oligbo and Mrs Chidi Onyemelukwe.
Still others who contributed N.5m include Barr. Valentine Ayika, Mr. Benjy Uba, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, Hon. Chuma Nzeribe and Dr. Alex Obiogbolu. Others not mentioned contributed a total of N4.5 million.
