By: Ade Philips
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has presented 25 ambulances to all the local government areas of the state and some tertiary institutions as well as fire fighting vans to the state’s Fire Service in Lokoja.
These were part of efforts to further aid the smooth functioning of the state’s health sector adjudged as one of the best in the country currently, in line with the State government’s prioritisation of the sector and to enable quicker handling of emergencies.
The Governor also presented 40 SUV cars and four Hilux vans to the state’s lawmakers and judges at a brief ceremony on Friday, in Lokoja, the state capital.
Governor Bello stressed that the autonomy granted to the legislature and Local Government was geared towards service delivery, noting that the Judiciary, Legislature and Local Governments had enjoyed their autonomy under his administration.
He said, “Today we can boost of a reference specialist hospital in Okene, that has been adjudged the best in Sub Saharan Africa. The Ambulances would help attend to emergencies within the shortest possible time towards an efficient health care delivery.
“We have made the health need of our people top priority under our administration, reason the 2024 budget is basically aimed at employment generation for health care providers and consolidation of the available infrastructure that has made us reference in north central Nigeria.
“It is also our avowed determination to ensure that our judicial officers are provided with the needed means to make them deliver justice without fear or favour,” he said.
“Over the years, we have witnessed some fire incidences that could have been averted but for want of the necessary equipment. It is our determination that henceforth, we will, with the provision of the fire service vehicles, fight fire incidences promptly and efficiently,” the Governor added.
Governor Bello assured the people of the State that his administration would continue to offer the necessary intervention that would improve the well-being of the people, assuring that his efforts would be witnessed till the last minutes of his administration.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Umar Aliyu, commended the unwavering commitment of Governor Yahaya Bello to delivering quality services to the people of the State.
“You have proven to be an advocate of the well-being and welfare of the legislators. The Assembly members have witnessed unprecedented support under your leadership in improving on our productivity,” he noted.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner For Health in Kogi State, Dr. Usman Zakari, said, following a baseline and needs assessment carried out in 2018, the present administration of Governor Bello employed over 3000 health workers and improved on the infrastructure in all health institutions.
He described Governor Bello as a game changer in the state’s health Sector.
“You have procured ambulances for all the Local Government areas. This gesture has provided the opportunity to prevent maternal death and to be able to transport patients, for emergency, for linkages and referrals,” he stated.
The Chief Judge (CJ) of the state, Justice Josiah Mejabi, thanked the governor for considering the welfare of judges as paramount towards enhanced judicial service to the people of the state.
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