The Edo State Government has taken delivery of 5,000 units of hand sanitisers and 4,000 cases of malt drinks donated by Guinness Nigeria Plc to support medical officers on the frontlines fighting to check the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the state.
Also, Presco Nigeria Plc, an oil processing company operating in Edo State, presented 500 cartons containing 2,000 cans of 5litres of Presco vegetable oil, to support the palliative measures being undertaken by the state government.
Addressing journalists after donating the items at the Government House in Benin City, the Site Manager of Guinness Nigeria, Benin, Anthony Alozie, said the company has continued to sustain its partnership with the Edo State Government since 1976 and recognise the need to support the government’s response to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alozie said, “We recognise the negative impact of COVID-19 in our society and Guinness as a company decided to partner with the Edo State Government as part of its corporate social responsibility. We have provided for Edo State Government and its people 5,000 units of sanitisers and 4,000 cases of malt drinks. This is to help those on the frontline offering essential services especially medical officers, at this peculiar time to help them refresh themselves and do the job.
“We have partnered with Edo State Government since 1974 and we see this time as another opportunity to support the state government to combat the spread of COVID- 19.”
Representative of the Managing Director and Public Relations Manager, Presco Nigeria Plc, Tony Uwajie, said there couldn’t have been a better time than now to reach out to support the state government’s efforts to contain the pandemic.
Uwajie applauded the state government’s efforts in combating the pandemic with respect to dealing with confirmed cases, testing for possible existing but not yet known cases, curbing the spread as well as the socio-economic issues it has created.
He noted, “joining hands with government to put our collective resilience and positive energy wisely and sensibly accepting that COVID-19 brings with it enormous challenges to governance, our lifestyle, culture and social interaction.”
Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., in his response, said the items will be distributed to vulnerable residents in the state.
He assured the state government’s readiness to tackle the pandemic, noting, “On behalf of the people of Edo State, I want to express appreciation for this kind gesture. These are challenging times for everybody. Everyone is working together to alleviate the pain this has caused. There are those who are very vulnerable among us and this period is the time to stand by them.”
