Atiku seeks account of Ebola response timeline, N10bn fund

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has again asked the Federal Government to account for the N10 billion approved for Ebola preparedness and clarify its current response following a confirmed case in Abuja.

Reacting on Friday through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said Nigerians deserved clear information on the status of the fund announced by the Presidency.

The statement was in response to a press statement by the APC on the matter.

“On 9 June, the Presidency announced that President Tinubu had ordered the immediate release of N10 billion for Ebola emergency preparedness. Now, with a case confirmed in Abuja, the APC says the money remains ‘untouched’,” the statement said.

Atiku asked the government to publish relevant documents.

“Was the money released or was it not? If it was released, where is it held, who controls it, and why has it not been used for the preparedness President Tinubu announced? If it was never released, why was an order for its immediate release announced in June? Publish the release documents, the account records and the Task Force’s expenditure reports,” he said.

He also sought clarification on the response timeline after symptoms appeared, citing the World Health Organization’s account that the patient developed symptoms on 7 October, sought care at a private facility on 11 October and received laboratory confirmation on 20 October.

“When was Ebola first suspected? When were public health authorities alerted? When was testing ordered? When did contact tracing begin?” he asked.

He called on the government to publish a timeline of surveillance and the actions taken.

“The APC claims surveillance ‘tipped off’ the government. Then publish the timeline. Name the agency that raised the alert, give the date and explain the action taken. 44 identified contacts are people whose health must be protected,” he said.

Atiku said health workers treating the patient and tracing contacts deserved protection and resources.

On concerns about possible restrictions, he asked the government to publish any proposed measures with medical justification.

“Public health guidance must protect people,” he said, adding that any proposed restrictions should be accompanied by medical justification and advice from health authorities.

“Show Nigerians where the money is. Explain the response timeline. Protect health workers. Trace every contact,” the statement added.