The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, has told the House of Representatives Committee on Public Account (PAC) that the centre had so far received N5.620 billion in two tranches.

The investigative hearing, which sat on Monday in Abuja, was on funds so far spent on the pandemic.

He said that out of the total amount, N620 million was earlier released to the centre to enable adequate preparedness the moment COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.

Ihekweazu explained that the sum of five billion naira was later released for the actual response after the first case was recorded in the country.

The director-general told the lawmakers that the centre had so far spent a total of N1.2 billion in response to contain the pandemic.

“We have spent N380 million on procurement of medical and laboratory supplies, we spent N250 million on deployment of rapid response team across the country and N192 million on emergency procurement of medical equipment”.

“We have spent N142 million on the engagement of ad hoc staff, N101 million on surveillance and response activities, N41 million on various repairs and reconstruction works and N34 million on training”.

“We have spent N22 million on supporting the supply chains, N6 million on risks communication and out of that, a total of N41 million was paid as tax in areas where tax is necessary,’’ he said.

The Committee adjourned the hearing to June 15, and demanded all relevant documents and details of expenditures. (NAN)