FG, US Wants To Build $10m Pharmaceutical Store In Abuja

           
               
To enhance drug supply and storage in Nigeria, the Federal Government of Nigeria in partnership with the United States of America flagged off the construction of a $10 million  drugs store in Abuja.

The project, the second in the country is expected to be completed in five months time.

Minister of State and Supervising Minister for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, who flagged off the constriction of the project on Tuesday, otherwise known as “Ware House in a Box” explained that project would enhance drugs storage and supply in the country.

He said the Federal Government provided land for the project “worth about N1.2 billion and also paid for the ground rent and the building plan approval fees to the tune of N19,129,932,42.”

The actual construction work would be handled by the US Agency for International Development, USAID.

Director, Food and Drug Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Vera Ogbechie, said government had planned to build the facility twenty years back but that there were challenges that halted the plan.

She informed that the structure would enhance accessibility to medicine and other health commodities across the nation.

She said, “In line with the principle of the Essential Drug Project, the Federal Ministry of Health conceived the idea of building the Abuja Premier Medical Stores about 20 years ago. However, due to several challenges such as land acquisition, policy review and budgetary issues the project has been on the drawing board till now.

 “On completion, this project which also consists of three warehouses provides a total storage space of 3000 square meters, that is, 1,500 pallet spaces; and easily be accessible to the northern axis of the nation.

“Presently, the Federal Medical Stores, FMS, Lagos serves as the only central storage hub for health products procured by FMOH, local and international agencies and non-governmental organizations, NGOs, that works in partnership with FMOH.”

In his remarks, Mission Director for the US, Michael Harvey, said the project was being funded by the US Agency for International Development, USAID and the Nigerian government.

“I am very proud of the partnership we’ve had many years. We believe this is going to be a very important piece, building on the partnership with the people of Nigeria.

“We hope that between three and five months from now, some of us could come back here to cut the ribbon when this building stands.

“Let me reassure you that the United States is deeply involved in helping Nigeria tackle the challenges before us. Nigeria will continue to enjoy the largest PEPFAR programme in the world, on HIV/AIDS; and Nigeria will continue to be largest health programme that USAID has in the world.”