By Dipo Olowookere
An ambulance and other medical essentials have been donated to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) by the Capital Market Support Committee on COVID-19 (CMSCC).
The CMSCC was set up on Thursday, April 16, 2020, to coordinate the capital market community’s contribution to fighting COVID-19, with Mr Ariyo Olushekun appointed as Chairman.
Since its establishment, the committee has been working tirelessly to mobilise resources from market participants and other stakeholders to advance the cause of providing palliatives to those in need and medical equipment to designated hospitals and isolation centres.
On Thursday, the acting Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Mary Uduk, led other members of the panel to the FCTA for the donation.
The team commended the FCTA for its efforts in assisting the federal government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
According to Ms Uduk, since the country recorded its COVID-19 index case in February this year, the number of affected persons has been on the increase, leading to emergency situations and in some cases, death.
She acknowledged the various on-ongoing efforts to combat the pandemic, both from the government and private sectors, pointing out that the capital market recognises the need to lend its support towards strengthening the available response mechanisms as well as ameliorating the burdens on those affected.
“Consequently, the Nigerian capital market community, led by SEC, in April of this year, set up the CMSCC to mobilise the necessary resources and coordinate all efforts required in that regard.
“The committee has been mobilising financial support and other resources from capital market participants and stakeholders for the purpose of providing medical and protective supplies as well as other palliatives.
“The CMSCC hereby announces the execution of the first phase of its intervention. This phase would cover donation of ambulances and other medical items to Lagos State, Kano State and the Federal Capital Territory, being centres with a relatively high number of cases.
“The CMSCC would also be donating an ambulance to the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, to support the efforts in flattening the curve in Nigeria,” she said.
Ms Uduk also encouraged “all capital market stakeholders to key into this initiative and contribute to the CMSCC COVID-19 fund to enable the capital market community to deliver on planned future interventions.
“We also encourage fellow Nigerians to continue to take necessary safety precautions and abide by directives issued by the federal government and relevant health agencies.”
She expressed optimism that, “Together, we will overcome this pandemic. We believe these donations will aid in fighting the pandemic and flattening the curve in Nigeria.”
Speaking further, Ms Uduk said the committee has studied relevant data on the pandemic and has identified critical areas of intervention, in the first phase of the execution of this initiative, the centres with a relatively high number of cases, including the Federal Capital Territory have been prioritised.
She thanked the team and those who have contributed to the fund and also expressed appreciation to the Minister and his officials for the privilege of collaborating with SEC in the effort to make Nigeria free from COVID-19.
In her remarks, Minister of State FCTA, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, urged Nigerians to continue to follow laid down protocols as COVID-19 is real.
“We know that lockdown is being eased, but this is not the time to let down our guards, we must continue to maintain social distancing, use our face masks when in public places as well as other protocols,” she said.
Mrs Aliyu commended the SEC for the donation, saying it will assist greatly in ensuring quick response and efficiency in the fight against the pandemic.
