Drama as CACOVID Disowns BUA’s Covid-19 Vaccine Donation

Drama as CACOVID Disowns BUA’s Covid-19 Vaccine Donation.

The private sector-led coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID) has defamed a statement by the BUA group, stating that the company has purchased one million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for Nigeria.

On Monday, BUA in a statement stated that it had paid for the dreaded disease remedy through the AFREXIM Vaccine program in partnership with CACOVID.

“These doses of the vaccine which should be delivered by next week will be the first delivery of Vaccines to Nigeria since the COVID-19 vaccines became available,” the statement noted.

Reacting, the CACOVID operations committee denied that BUA would singlehandedly secure the doses

The group added that purchase of the vaccine cannot be done by individuals or companies, but only through the federal government.

 “CACOVID is dismayed to learn of reports on social media today alleging that BUA is singlehandedly purchasing 1 million Covid-19 vaccine doses for Nigeria. Alhaji Abdulsamad must have been misquoted because these claims are not factual as CACOVID operates on a collegiate fund contribution model. There is no agreement between BUA, CACOVID and Afreximbank,” the statement reads.

 “During the CACOVID weekly call of February 8th, Governor Emefiele, relayed to the larger group a call that he held with Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Herbert Wigwe with Afreximbank President, Benedict Oramah, on Sunday Feb 7th. President Oramah briefed the 3 CACOVID leaders on the $2 billion facility the Bank has set up with the African Union Vaccine taskforce to purchase vaccines for the African Continent. The allocation for Nigeria has been capped at 42 million doses. President Oramah explained that 1 million doses were ready for shipment to Nigeria in the next 2 weeks if a down payment was made by today, February 8th.

 “At today’s meeting, CACOVID leadership agreed to contribute $100 million to procure vaccines for Nigeria, these 1 million doses from Afreximbank worth $3.45 million, being the very first tranche. CACOVID will purchase vaccines through other credible and subsidized mechanisms such as COVAX.

“The vaccines will be delivered to Nigeria and distributed through the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).

 “CACOVID would like the Nigerian public to understand that vaccine purchase is only possible through the Federal Government of Nigeria, and that no individual or company can purchase vaccines directly from any legitimate and recognized manufacturer.”