By Saka Laaro, Ilorin
The joys of leaders of benefitting rural communities knew no bounds as Kwara State government on Sunday distributed 12 motorbike ambulances to the health facilities in the areas to aid the movement of patients from their homes to the hospital during emergencies.
The representatives of the benefitting communities in Ilorin West, Ilorin East and Ilorin South local government areas poured encomiums on the State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his love for the wellness and wellbeing of the people of rural communities in the State.
They were unanimous in their opinions that the people of the rural communities had never had it so good, thanking the Governor for his kindness and concerns for their wellbeing.
The community representatives; Mallam Orire Ibrahim (Ilorin West), Alhaji AbdulRazaq Kebe (Ilorin South) and Pastor Ishola Tubosun (Ilorin East), expressed their people’s gratitude to Governor AbdulRazaq, assuring him of their bulk votes during the forthcoming general elections.
Ibrahim, who received the motor bike anbulance on behalf of Ilorin-West local government said the intervention will “ease problems of getting to hospitals by our people living in the rural areas.”
Kebe, who received the bike ambulance on behalf of Ilorin South, said the intervention of the Governor in taking care of the rural communities “is uncomparable,” assuring that the people of the area will vote for him and all All Progressives Congress’ (APC) candidates massively during the coming general elections.
On his part, Pastor Ishola Tubosun of Ilorin East said, “Governor AbdulRazaq is a God-sent leader. He has come to wipe the tears of the hitherto neglected people of the rural communities. We are happy over this kind gesture of our people-focused governor and we shall reciprocate by voting to return him for a well deserved second term.”
Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr Jemilat Bio Ibrahim presented the motorbike ambulances to the representatives of the benefitting communities on behalf of Governor AbdulRazaq at a brief ceremony at the Government House, Ilorin.
She said Governor AbdulRazaq, because of his concern for the wellness and wellbeing of the people of the rural communities, especially pregnant women, facilitated the 12 motorbike ambulances from the Federal Government through the Office of the Senior Special Assiatant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Governor’s Aide said in choosing the benefitting local government areas, the State Government considered communities that are far to each and those with bad roads where conventional ambulances cannot get to.
She said the motorbike ambulances would also reduce maternal and child mortality rates in the State as more pregnant women and children in rural communities would now have access to quick and efficient healthcare services.
While thanking the Governor for the approval given for the distribution of the ambulances, Jemilat Ibrahim said her office will also distribute 100 beds to various hospitals in the State.
She urged the benefitting communities to take ownership of the ambulances and ensure their maintainance so that they can serve them for a very long time.
The Special Assistant also disclosed that about 3,000 Kwarans have been shortlisted to benefit from the COVID-19 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) economic recovery funds.