Benin – Edo Government on Monday took delivery of two trailer loads of food items donated by the three senators representing the state to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its citizens.
Gov. Godwin Obaseki, who received the donation at the state government house in Benin, commended the gesture and praised the senators’ maturity and magnanimity to have considered the interest of the vast majority of the people they represent in spite of their different political affiliations.
He said that the state had been taking delivery and distributing relief materials to the vulnerable and poor during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the donation by the senators would boost the state food bank.
Obaseki said the state was developing a social register that would be included in the Federal Government’s social intervention to cushion the effect on the poor amid the pandemic.
He said that about 120,000 vulnerable and poor people in the state had already been identified and urged the senators to facilitate the process at the federal level.
He said the state had put in place three strategies to curtail the spread of coronavirus which included training and support of health workers, leveraging on partnership and communication to citizens.
“We rely on religious bodies, traditional leaders and the local government councils to help reach out to the people in the state.”
The governor noted that the world would not remain the same after the pandemic, saying that an agriculture committee was working with farmers to increase production of grains through provision of farm inputs.
Sen. Matthew Urhoghide, who spoke on behalf of the two other senators, Sen. Clifford Ordia and Francis Alimikhena said the gesture was to support the effort of Edo government in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 as well as alleviate the plights of the poor.
Urhoghide commended the strategic way the state government was tackling the pandemic, noting that the method was working.
He said that although the senators had also made their contributions at the federal level by donating 50 per cent of their salaries, “they also decided to come home to assist the needy’’.
He said that the Edo senators were also contributing toward the home grown school feeding programme in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are particular about the vulnerable and the poor in our midst and are ready to make more support to the state government.”
While Urhoghide and Ordia, both of the Peoples Democratic Party represent Edo South and Central senatorial districts respectively, Alimikhena of the All Progressives party, represents Edo North district. (NAN)
