…support govt with food items, others
MEMBERS of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) have donated their one month salary to the Edo State Government to complement the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the state.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye, disclosed this in Benin City, when he led other lawmakers to donate 200 bags of rice and 200 bags of beans to support the state government’s efforts at cushioning the economic effects of the pandemic on Edo people.
Donating the food items, Okiye said the government alone can’t win the war against the pandemic but would need the collaboration of public-spirited Nigerians, hence the need for members of the House to help through the donation.
He said, “We are aware of the reality on ground; we are in a state of war against an invisible enemy and have decided to play our role by collaborating with the Edo State Government in ensuring that we win this fight.
“We are here today to assist the state government with 200 bags of rice and 200 bags of rice. Individually, we will still support our constituencies in this fight. We have also decided to donate our one month salary to the government to fight the scourge.”
Receiving the items on behalf of Edo State Government, the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comr. Philip Shaibu, thanked the lawmakers for the gesture, noting that the assistance came at a time that the government needed it the most.
He congratulated the speaker for surviving the virus, stressing that he is a COVID-19 Ambassador.
“This is a trying time for the government and the donation will certainly go a long way to assist the vulnerable in society. I congratulate you as Ambassador of the COVID-19 pandemic, being a survivor of the disease. I urge you to join us to supervise the distribution of items and ensure that the items get to those that need it. These are trying times for us but we believe in God and certainly, we will have great lessons to learn from the pandemic,” he added.
