Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has presented 25 ambulances to all local government areas, several tertiary institutions, and fire-fighting vans to the state’s Fire Service in Lokoja.
These efforts aim to enhance the efficiency of the state’s health sector, currently recognized as one of the country’s best, aligning with the government’s emphasis on the sector and facilitating prompt emergency response.
Additionally, the Governor allocated 40 SUV cars and four Hilux vans to the state’s lawmakers and judges during a brief ceremony on Friday in Lokoja, the state capital.
Governor Bello highlighted that the autonomy granted to the legislature and local government was designed to bolster service delivery. He said that the Judiciary, Legislature, and Local Governments had enjoyed autonomy under his administration.
He remarked, “We pride ourselves on a specialised reference hospital in Okene, acclaimed as the best in Sub Saharan Africa. The ambulances will expedite responses to emergencies, promoting efficient healthcare delivery.
“Our administration has placed the health needs of our people at the forefront, evident in the 2024 budget aimed at generating employment for healthcare providers and fortifying existing infrastructure that has made us a reference in North Central Nigeria.
“We are resolute in ensuring our judicial officers are equipped to dispense justice impartially,” he stated.
“Over time, we’ve witnessed preventable fire incidents due to insufficient equipment. Going forward, with these fire service vehicles, we aim to promptly and effectively combat fire outbreaks,” the Governor said.
Governor Bello affirmed his commitment to continually provide necessary interventions to enhance the citizens’ well-being, assuring that his administration’s efforts would persist until its final moments.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Umar Aliyu, commended Governor Yahaya Bello’s unwavering dedication to delivering quality services to the people of the State.
“You have championed the well-being and welfare of the legislators. Under your leadership, the Assembly members have received unparalleled support, enhancing our productivity,” he acknowledged.
In a goodwill message, the Commissioner For Health in Kogi State, Dr. Usman Zakari, highlighted that following a baseline and needs assessment in 2018, Governor Bello’s administration employed over 3000 health workers and upgraded infrastructure across health institutions.
He lauded Governor Bello as a transformative figure in the state’s health sector.
“You’ve provided ambulances to all Local Government areas, a gesture preventing maternal deaths and enabling emergency transport, linkages, and referrals,” he expressed.
The Chief Judge (CJ) of the state, Justice Josiah Mejabi, expressed gratitude to the governor for prioritising judges’ welfare, noting its significance in advancing judicial service delivery to the state’s populace.
