The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to support nine states in the Niger Delta region with N1billion.

This comes amid the rising cases of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari declared COVID-19 a dangerous infectious disease.

According to NDDC acting Managing Director, Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei, the agency was making available N775 million to support the nine states under its mandate.

He added that another N270 million will be released to fast-track the establishment of isolation centres in the 27 senatorial districts across the region.

“We are exploring avenues to see if we could intervene in providing ventilators and facilitate the procurement of oxygen”.

“We are also looking at the drugs that have been used so far in other climes for treatment. The NDDC is going a step above what others are doing,” a statement from NDDC’s spokesman, Charles Obi Odili, quoted the MD as saying.

Channels Television reports that the commission also announced a total shutdown of its services as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It however reminded its workers to adhere strictly to the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard on preventive measures.

In doing this, NDDC asked the staff to maintain personal hygiene by washing of hands with soap and water and sanitizing of hands, maintain of social distance and to stay away from public places when necessary.