By Eunice Nnachi, Yenagoa
In a bid to ensure every child in Bayelsa survives and thrives to its full potentials, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), at the weekend presented three operational vehicles to Bayelsa government at Port Harcourt office, Rivers state.
During the presentation, Dr Anselem Otobo, Chief of Field Office, expressed his delight in handing over the car papers, keys and the vehicles to the Bayelsa state government, at the UNICEF Port Harcourt.
Otobo said, “UNICEF is pleased to present to Bayelsa State Government the following three vehicles to further strengthen Primary Health Care service delivery including vaccine distribution in Bayelsa state.
“The vehicles include; 1. One unit of Innoson 5-Seater double cabin pick up with chassis number, LTA12H2E9P102975, 2. One unit of IVM 13-seater Bus with Chassis number LL3AAAAC8LA000036, 3. One unit of Innoson 5-seater double cabin pick with Chassis number LTA12H2EOP9102976.”
He noted that” the donation was made possible through GAVI (The vaccine Alliance) funded Primary health care memorandum of understanding between FGB/Bayelsa government and UNICEF.
He said, “this donation has been made possible through the GAVI (The vaccine Alliance) funded Primary Health Care Memorandum of Understanding between FGN/Bayelsa State Government/GAVI/UNICEF.
“It is expected that with this donation supported by the GAVI, Primary Health Care MOU, supervision and monitoring of Primary Health Care programmes and vaccine supply chain systems will be strengthened and enhanced across the 8 LGAS of the state.
“The vehicles will also facilitate access to hard-to-reach areas of the state and improve the state’s capacity to deliver quality primary health care services to reach every child with life saving vaccines and other services therefore, ensuring every child in Bayelsa State survives and thrives to its full potentials.
” I hereby present to you on behalf of UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Cristian Munduate and GAVI these 3 vehicles for you to continue to deliver quality primary health care services to the of Bayelsa State.”
In appreciation, the Bayelsa state Commissioner for Health, Dr Pabara Igwele, thanked GAVI and UNICEF for the laudable initiatives, and promised to take words back to Governor Douye Diri.
Dr Igwele said, GAVi in 2019 started the process of signing of an MOU with Bayelsa state government, supporting a whole lot of primary health care activities.
“By 2021 that MOU was signed, all implementation, started by 2022.
I must commend GAVI for this initiatives, for supporting various states, various nationalities across the board, improving the health needs of our people.
“At the Advent of GAVI, the support we have received, has significantly improved our health indices. I must give it to GAVI for the initiative and support. I must take words back to my Governor, Sen Douye Diri, for this great support from GAVI, to improve the monitoring and evaluation of the activities of the Primary health care board.
” I think we are one of the fortunate states at the entire South South, Nigeria, Bayelsa is the only state benefiting from GAVI. Thank you GAVI for on behalf of my boss Executive Governor of Bayelsa.
“UNICEF had been one of the implementing partners to ensure that, whatever GAVI is giving to the states government, we implement hook line and sinker. If there’s an area of difficulty, UNICEF has been able to mediate and initiate, those process of ensuring, we have a smooth running and initiate MOU signing by GAVI, I also appreciate UNICEF.”
