By Ovedhe Jerry
The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) on Wednesday 24th June, donated an ambulance and waste disposal Van to Isoko North Local Government Council.
Making the delivery, the Commissioner representing Isoko Ethnic Nationality on the board of DESOPADEC Arc. Joseph Ajiri Ogeh, said the commission as an interventionist agency deemed it necessary to present the ambulance and the waste disposal Van to the people of Isoko North Local Government for the use of Ekiugbo Iyede Cottage Hospital and for the efficient disposal of refuse in the local government.
Arc. Ogeh who was represented by his Special Assistant, Mr Jonathan Okpako Umukoro said the Commission only intervenes in areas where there is need and that it is imperative the ambulance was donated to the Council for the use of Ekiugbo-Iyede Cottage Hospital.
“The Commission intervenes in the areas of health, education, infrastructure like roads and other areas that makes life better for our people. What we have come to do today is in line with the objective of the Commission.
“The commission does not limit their assistance to communities alone. Anywhere they feel there is need for intervention they will extend their hands of assistance and that is why they deemed it fit to assist the Council in the area of environment and health by the provision of the ambulance and waste disposal Van.
“My appeal is that the ambulance and the waste disposal Van be put in good use so that the aim of the donation will not be defeated.”
Receiving the ambulance and the Van, the Executive Chairman of Isoko North Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor, thanked DESOPADEC and the Hon. Commissioner Arc. Joseph Ajiri Ogeh for the donation while noting that DESOPADEC has relieved the Council of the burden of acquiring the ambulance and the waste disposal Van.
“Today is a great day in the sense that on our part, we didn’t even apply for these items but DESOPADEC in their own wisdom deemed it necessary to render this assistance in the area of the health and environment of our people. As the saying goes, Health is wealth and cleanliness is next to Godliness
“I thank DESOPADEC and our dear Commissioner Arc Joseph Ajiri Ogeh for the donation. This is the first time that any agency will be making such a donation to the Council since I came into office. I want you to convey our appreciation to DESOPADEC and our dear Commissioner Arc. Joseph Ajiri Ogeh, who has deemed it necessary for Isoko North Local Government to be presented with an ambulance and a waste disposal Van.
“We have been having running battles with the disposal of wastes in the local Government. At a time we even thought it necessary to acquire one but we couldn’t because of the precarious finances of the Council.
“What DESOPADEC has done today shows that they appreciate the life of our people in Isoko North.
“I want to assure you that the Van will be put into effective use for the evacuation of refuse in not just Ozoro the headquarters but across the local government. I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to our people to cooperate with the waste disposal agents by paying the little token being charged for the administration of waste disposal in the local government.”
The ambulance which was presented at the Ekiugbo-Iyede Premises had the President-General of Iyede Kingdom, Pastor Duke Etegarara JP, Friday Etedheke Chairman Ekiugbo Iyede, Vice Chairman Ezekiel Owhewhenu, former President General, Godwin Unuafe, Godspower Eseriagu, Samuel Omowhe, Community spokesman in attendance.
In the same vein, the Waste disposal Van was presented at the Council secretariat premises had the Vice Chairman of the Local Government Hon. Anthony Odhe, Secretary to the LG Barr. Vote Umukoro, President-General Ozoro Progressive Union, Engr. Clifford Anakpoha, Usuoyibo Julius, Vice President, Com. Engr. Benson Anakome Akwenuke, SecretaryGeneral, Ofere Paul, Treasurer, Financial Secretary Frank Elo Ugwuruwe, Town Planning Chairman, Prince Elerara Onome Kennedy, in attendance.
