CSBS News Desk
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has joined states in the region to fight the Lassa fever scourge by donating personal protective kits and other accessories.
Presenting the kits to the states, the acting Managing Director of NDDC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said the donation was part of the commission’s collaborative action with the nine focal state governments to kick-out Lassa fever in the region.
Recalling similar efforts by NDDC during the outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria in 2014, Semenitari, who flagged-off the exercise in Benin City, Edo State capital yesterday, disclosed that Edo, Ondo and Rivers States were chosen in the first case being the worst hit in the region.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, at the Government House, Benin City, Semenitari said apart from the donations performed simultaneously across the three beneficiary states, NDDC had been involved in massive public education.
Semenitari, who had earlier re-affirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s zero-tolerance for corruption, particularly bribery, while speaking on live radio breakfast show in Benin City, disclosed that dedicated telephone lines and email had been created by the commission for members of the public to report officials of the commission who might ask for bribe for service delivery.
While stating that contractors and former officials of the commission might be invited for explanation over their activities while serving with the interventionist agency, she added that the administration of President Buhari was keen on the completion of projects already on-going in the Niger Delta states.
Semenitari informed Oshiomhole that key road projects in Edo State were already receiving expedited attention while adding that conducive office accommodation for staffers of the commission at the Edo State office had become critical.
“We are going to deliver on the key road projects to Edo people soon,” she said.
Oshiomhole thanked Semenitari for the visit, adding that he believed in the competence of the acting managing director to deliver on her mandate.