The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited says it will donate pickup vans, ventilators, monitors and several pieces1of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to support the fight against COVID-19 in Rivers.
Sir. Joseph Alagoa, the NLNG’s General Manager Corporate Services made this known on Friday while presenting some palliatives meant for the people of Rivers to the State Government.
He commended Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers for taking proactive steps to protect the people of Rivers from coronavirus.
According to Alagoa, NLNG will be donating two pickup vans, five Ventilators, 30 monitors and 17,000 pieces of Personal Protective Equipments.
He said the the NLNG would in addition be donating equipment and materials worth one million ($1million) US Dollars to upgrade specific facilities at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.
According to him, the NLNG will be donating food items valued at over $250,000USD to its host communities as palliatives.
“We are doing this to guarantee the safety of lives and property. In total, what we have donated is about $2.8millionUSD.
“In addition to that, we will be refurbishing and setting up a 10-bed Isolation and holding Centre at the Bonny Zonal Hospital and this will cost $1.05millionUSD.
“This Centre will be equipped with all the necessary medical equipment to make it is fully functional in the event that COVID-19 becomes present in the Bonny area, he said.
“This is to show our stand and determination to work with the Government of Rivers State and also the people of Rivers State at this time that all hands need to be on deck to work together to tackle this challenge.
“These are trying times and we all need to stay together, stand together and most importantly support each other at this trying time, he said.”
Alagoa also stressed that it is important for the private sector and individuals to provide support in the fight against the spread of the Novel COVID-19 pandemic.
Similarly, Sen. Adawari Pepple, the Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Rivers and Bayelsa States Chapter, also lauded the governor for taking steps against the pandemic in Rivers
He also assured the Rivers Government that the Association will support the state government’s efforts at offering palliatives to the people.
Speaking in the same vein, Pepple lauded Governor Wike for taking the right steps for the state.
He said: “So far, all the steps that have been taken by the Rivers State Government have been very positive. We are glad to note that we haven’t recorded more incidents than what we have.
“Even those who were declared positive have now been treated and they are negative. This is worth celebrating.
“We have come to lend our support to Rivers State Government in its fight to check the spread of coronavirus.’’
Also, Next Cash and Carry donated various foodstuffs and beverages to the state government.
Sir Nnaedozie Okwoli, Chief Financial Officer, Next Cash and Carry Ltd, lauded Gov. Wike for the effort to check the spread of coronavirus.
Responding, Chairman of Rivers State COVID-19 Palliatives Committee, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, thanked the donors for supporting the Rivers government to reach out to her people.
He said: “Today, Next Cash and Carry has scored a major point by donating these items to a friend in need.
“The effort of Governor Wike has yielded results as the State for now has nobody with the virus. But there are consequences for the lockdown.
“The shops and markets are not there. He has set up Committees to buy off foodstuffs from farmers and fishermen and then distribute to the less privileged.’’
The State’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Chike Princewill assured that all the donations would be judiciously used by the state government for the benefit of the people of Rivers.
