Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has reiterated his administration’s readiness to continue to partner with the Federal Government and other international donor agencies to fight malaria,  malnutrition and other  health related issues in the State.

The Governor  made this declaration while playing host to a team from Africa Development Bank, Federal Ministries of Health, Finance and Ondo State Ministry of Health in his office.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Ifedayo Abegunde, Akeredolu said his administration is fully committed to the eradication of the scourge of malaria and malnutrition in the state.

He assured the team that the state government is going to ensure judicious use of the fund released by the African Development Bank for the project.

Akeredolu according to a release signed by the Press Officer in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Festus Adeusi expressed appreciation to the  African Development Bank for the great support and promised to release on time the state counterpart contribution to complement the fund released by the Bank for the project

Ealier, representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Dr. Garuba Shehu said AFDB is proposing US$ 50million  to fight malaria and malnutrition in Ondo and Anambra States and for capacity strengthening at the Federal level, being the coordinating agent.

Shehu said the Federal Ministry of Finance approached the African Development Bank (AFD Bank) seeking funding to fight malaria epidemic in both Ondo State and Anambra State.

On his part, the representative of AFDB , Dr. Greg Osunbor assured that as soon as the negotiations are finalized and all necessary required documents are submitted by the two states,  the Bank’s tentative plan is to start disbursement of the funds by the first  quarter of 2019, all things  being equal.

He said Ondo state stands to benefit about US$ 20million, from the funding to fight malaria and malnutrition health related issues in the state.

Osunbor therefore praised the state governor on his promise to promptly release the State counterpart contribution to support the project in the state.

Earlier the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro said  prior to the current appraisal mission visits to the state by the African Development Bank, Federal Ministry of Health and Finance Personnel, the team was in the State in July 2018 on advocacy visit to lines ministries in preparation towards the development of the projects.

The Commissioner said that the state is expected to make available US $100,000 (N36m), counterpart funding for the project.

He therefore informed Abegunde that the ministry had already gotten the approval of Mr. Governor and that  the funds would be made available soonest for the project.

 Abegunde that the ministry had already gotten the approval of Mr. Governor and that  the funds would be made available soonest for the project.

Adegbenro explained that the African Bank and the personnel from the Federal Ministries of Health and Finance are now in the state to appraise the readiness of the system in the state and collate information and data to prepare its appraisal Report (PAR) that will be submitted to its Board for the approval of the fund.