Nigerians have taken to the micro-blogging site (Twitter) and other social media platforms to criticize the federal government over its action of begging United States billionaire, Elon Musk, for ventilators to combat coronavirus in the country.
Recall that Musk had tweeted that it has extra FDA-approved ventilators that it would distribute to hospitals around the world.
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In other to benefit from the medical equipment, Federal government through the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning solicited for assistance from the company.
Below is a screen-shot of the company’s tweet and FG’s message to the company.
However, reacting to FG’s action, Nigerians said, @SmartAudi said the N37bn budgeted for the National Assembly renovation could have bought thousands of ventilators.
“The N37bn budgeted for NASS renovation should be used to purchase ventilators. They won’t have constituencies to provide over if people die out of lack of equipment. This country under you people is in a mess because you have no priority at all,” he tweeted.
@AsiwajuLerry tweeted, “Are we that broke in this country? All those billion naira donations, wetin una dey take am do (sic)?”
@taramasalata001 said it was unfortunate that a rich country like Nigeria could stoop so low.
“Nigeria, being the giant and richest in Africa, should be the one shipping ventilators and other equipment to other African countries to help them cope with COVID-19 but here we are, begging for support after mismanagement and embezzling public funds for decades. What a shame!”
@AriyoJoshuaOlus said the Federal Government ought to have used diplomatic and business channels to get such help rather than go on social media.
@Kcnaija tweeted, “With a budget of over N10tn and borrowings of $22.7bn, we are begging for 100 to 500 ventilators. Nigeria as a country is a mess, a total potpourri of jokes. So, we didn’t have ventilators and our President and public officers go abroad for medical tourism?”
