PRESS RELEASE: COVID-19: ENERGY FIRM DONATES MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO KEBBI STATE GOVERNMENT

An Energy Firm, Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd, on Tuesday donated assorted medical equipment to the Kebbi State Government, to bolster its fight against the dreaded Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), Pandemic.

The array of the multi-million naira medical items were presented to Governor Atiku Bagudu, by the Chairman of the Company's Foundation, Pharmacist Umaru Bako Yauri.

The items include hand sanitizers, face masks, goggles, bio-safety suits, infrared thermometers and booths, among others.

He said that, the items were the firm's widow's mite towards combating the pandemic.

According to him, the firm and Kebbi State have been enjoying a cordial relationship and a robust partnership that would be sustained.

Pharmacist Bako Yauri also acknowledged the cordial relationship with its host community, even as he pledged to initiate more programs to assist the people of the state.

He disclosed that, the company was currently undertaking more than one hundred programs in the state, mostly in education, health, environment and empowerment, among others.

The Chairman also disclosed plans to partner with the Wife of the Governor, Dr Zainab Atiku Bagudu, to curb the menace of cancer in the state.

Earlier, the Executive Director of Mainstream Energy Solutions limited, Siraj Abdullahi informed the governor about the humanitarian intervention of the foundation to uplifting the well-being of communities in Kebbi and other places.

He said the primary aim of their visit to Government House, Birnin Kebbi was to deliver the items which comprise of personal protective equipment, face masks, hand gloves and sanitizers among others to the state government to strengthen the fight and preventive measures against Covid-19.

He told the governor that Mainstream Energy Solutions limited which established the foundation was assigned the responsibility of managing Kainji and Jabba dams to generate hydroelectric power.

He said 70 percent of the lake area was in Kebbi State in Yauri emirate while the machinery/engines were located in Niger State.

The executive director made it clear that consequently, inhabitants in Kebbi State were facing severe effects arising from activities in Kainji especially flooding and impact on farmlands.
According to him that was why the foundation was set up five years ago to provide succor to vulnerable communities.

He said so far, the foundation has executed 400 various types of projects of which 113 were located in Yauri. The projects include rehabilitation of hospitals, schools and bridges, establishment of rice mills, capacity building and induction in vocational and inquisitional skills.

He opined that following the outbreak of Covid-19, the foundation was allocated five hundred million naira (N500 million naira) to aid states Governments fight the spread of the pandemic.

He lauded efforts of the Governor in protecting the people of the state against disease, promising to be a willing ally.

Responding, Governor Bugudu, lauded the firm for the invaluable gesture and promised that, the State Task Force on Covid-19 would put the items to proper use.

The Governor averred that, the gesture and benevolence of the firm are highly appreciated as they have come at the most challenging times in the state, Nigeria and the world.

Bagudu said, “the company is conscious of its Corporate Social Responsibilities and it is well organized. We are quite pleased to receive the items.”

On President Muhammadu's Buhari address to the nation yesterday on the COVID-19 situation, the governor said, “the President has expressed how dedicated we have been doing on surveillance.”

“We have people doing an amazingly good job and our statistics is not bad. Our gratitude goes to all those who have supported us in different ways."

Siraj Abdullahi, the Executive Director of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited was also part of the team who were at Government House to present the items.

Others who attended the occasion include, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Argungu and members of Kebbi State Task Force on Covid-19 led by the Chairman, Jafar Mohammed (Clean), among others.

Signed:
YAHAYA SARKI
Special Adviser (SA) Media to Kebbi State Governor
28/4/2020