Senators representing Edo State at the National Assembly have donated two trailer loads of food items to support the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government, in response to the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.
The senators are Matthew Urhoghide, representing Edo South Senatorial District under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); Clifford Ordia, representing Edo Central under the PDP and Francis Alimekhena, representing Edo North under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The relief materials donated to the state government include rice, beans and Indomie noodles, which will serve as palliatives to cushion the unfavorable economic effects of COVID -19 in the state.
Receiving the items, Governor Obaseki said though the senators are not the highest-ranking Edo indigenes in Abuja, but they have considered it necessary to support the state government with the food items in order to ameliorate the suffering of Edo people at this critical period.
The governor noted that without waiting for support or donations, the state government took bold steps to ensure it contains the spread of COVID-19 in the state, adding that the health and well-being of its citizens remain paramount.
He noted that the government under his leadership is doing a lot in the area of healthcare, as 4,200 people have been trained as healthcare workers to help in the fight against the dreaded COVID-19. He added that in the ongoing massive screening, over 54,000 persons have been screened in the first week, and the target is to screen much more.
Governor Obaseki said it is the intention of the government, through the healthcare officials, to test and collect a minimum of 100 samples each day, and the goal is to screen 500,000 residents in the state and test a minimum of 5,000 samples. He explained, this will help to understand the spread of the virus and how best it could be eradicated.
Senator Urhoghide, who spoke on behalf of the members of the upper legislative chamber, commended the effort of the state government in curtailing the spread of the virus across the state, noting that their support was occasioned by the determined efforts of the state government.
Daniel Ejodamen
(FIC, Benin City)
