Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has presented keys of three Hilux Vans and three motorcycles to the chairmen of Orhionmwon, Uhunwonde and Owan West Local Government Areas, to strengthen the delivery capacity of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme in the councils.
During the presentation of the vehicles and motorcycles, at Government House, in Benin City, Shaibu urged the local councils and other government officials to make judicious use of the vehicles and motorcycles for the benefit of their people.
He noted, “These vehicles and motorcycles are meant for WASH unit coordinators in the various councils and it is strictly for monitoring WASH programmes in the various LGAs. The coordinator should know the importance as the vehicles are not ceremonial but meant for monitoring and reporting findings of the progress of the programmes to provide succour to the people.”
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Mrs. Akongie Usiriedo Oboh said the vehicles and motorcycles were procured through a collaboration between Edo State Government, European Union (EU) and UNICEF as part of efforts to provide water in rural areas and small towns in the state.
She noted, “We have been able to provide sanitation and water facilities in Ovia South West, Etsako West, Orhionmwon, Uhunwonde and Owan West LGAs. We have been able to provide over 200 sanitation facilities, 60 water facilities in the two phases in the mentioned LGAs.”
Chairman, Uhunwonde local council, Napoleon Agbama expressed appreciation to the acting governor for the vehicles and motorcycles, assuring that the councils will ensure they are put to proper use.
Agbama added the chairmen of the benefitting councils will not disappoint but stick to the rules governing the WASH programme.
