Anambra govt distances self from Ubah’s COVID-19 fund drive

The Anambra State government distanced itself from the COVID-19 aid account set up by the senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone, Ifeanyi Ubah.

The Capital Oil supremo had reportedly set up a bank account to canvass for donations towards building and equipping a hospital that would handle COVID-19 cases in the state.

But the Anambra State government in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Public enlightenment, Mr. Don Adinuba, faulted Ubah decision to set up the account despite knowing that the state government had opened one for the same purpose.

He said: “COVID-19 is not only in Nigeria, but the number of cases is increasing rapidly. The whole country has a crisis on its hands. It is strange for any person to create the impression that the solution is to start looking for funds from wealthy individuals from Anambra State.

“Since the launch last week of the Anambra State COVID-19 account in the determination to fight the spread of the coronavirus in the state, a lot of people from the state and beyond have been calling to complain that they confuse the state account with the funds’ drive organized by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah”

The commissioner stressed that the pandemic should not be a reason for anyone to promise the construction of a new hospital, which would certainly take a very long time to complete.

“Worse, it will take time and resources to equip such a hospital and then hire the right calibre of staff like doctors, nurses and laboratory scientists trained in the management of viral cases. This is why serious-minded Nigerians who can easily build hospitals on their own are aligning with the Federal Government as well as state governments to equip existing hospitals and motivate the staff members who are on the frontlines in the battle against the coronavirus.

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“Until these individuals and organizations began to complain about the confusion they face while seeking to contribute funds to the Anambra people, the state government was not aware of the funds drive started by Senator Ubah.

“In other words, the state government is not part of SenatorUbah’s funds drive. Our people should, therefore, not confuse the two.

“Ubah did not consult us before he started his solo enterprise, nor has he, to this moment, sought to work with the state government. The state government does not sanction his activities.”

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