The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the procurement of 63 ambulances at the total cost of ₦458.49 million in a bid to stem unacceptably high infant and maternal mortality rates, particularly in the rural areas.
Minister of State for Information and Communications, Mr Labaran Maku, made the disclosure at a media briefing on the outcome of the week’s Council meeting on Wednesday, 18th August, 2010 at the State House, Abuja.
Giving the details of the procurement, Maku stated that each of the ambulances was valued at ₦7.27 million, are to be distributed to 20 states of the federation as part of the Federal Government’s efforts towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He listed the states as: Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Ondo, Osun, Rivers, Taraba, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Nasarawa, Lagos, Kwara, Kano, Jigawa, Imo, Gombe, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to him, the move was initiated by the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih, hence that Ministry was given the responsibility of supervising the ambulances and ensuring optimal and appropriate use and maintenance.
He noted that in July, the First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan launched the first phase of the scheme in Abuja, which covered 16 states of the Federation and involved about 49 ambulances.
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