President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that a soon-to-be established committee under the Federal Executive Council (FEC) will be in charge of overseeing cholera emergencies, News About Nigeria reports.
The Minister of Health, Dr Ali Pate, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the council meeting presided over by the President at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He noted that the President directed FEC to set up a committee to oversee the cholera emergency operation centre operated by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
He disclosed that the cabinet committee would comprise members from the Federal Ministry of Health, Finance, Water Resources, Environment, Youth, Aviation, and Education.
According to him, the committee’s effort is in addition to the state government’s support to ensure Nigeria makes progress in reducing open defecation.
“The council then approved a cabinet committee comprising the federal ministries of health, finance, water resources, environment, youth, aviation, and education because some of our children will be returning to school.
“In addition to this, the state governments will be co-opted so that Nigeria makes progress in reducing open defecation because cholera is a developmental issue that requires a multi-sectoral approach.
“The President directed that a cabinet committee be set up to oversee what the emergency operation centre led by the NCDC is doing and for the resources to be provided, complemented by state governments, he stated.
The minister further noted that, at the moment, 31 states had recorded 1528 cases in Nigeria with 53 deaths.
He added that that is what they are working on through the emergency operation centre that was activated by the NCDC on Monday.
