In continuation of its support to the fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, BUA Group, on Tuesday presented a total of eight ambulances and reusable cotton made facemasks to the governments of Akwa Ibom and neighbouring Abia states.
Representatives of BUA, while presenting the donations to Governor Udom Emmanuel in Uyo and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in Umuahia, commended their efforts in tackling the pandemic, noting that the donations are in line with the group’s promise to join Nigerians in fighting the scourge.
While the Akwa Ibom state government received five ambulances, Abia got three.
Aliyu Idi Hong, Director of Government Relations, BUA, and Ibrahim Lile, General Manager, BUA Ports and Terminals who represented Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Executive Chairman/CEO of BUA in the states respectively commended the Governors for their passion and creativity in the fight against COVID-19.
In Uyo, Governor Udom Emmanuel described the donation as critical to the COVID-19 campaign in the state and thanked BUA and Abdul Samad Rabiu for the gesture, which according to him will strengthen the state’s rapid response to the pandemic.
Governor Emmanuel said the gesture was a clear demonstration of the readiness and interest of Abdul Samad Rabiu to partner his administration in the development of the state, restating a total commitment to fighting the virus even as schools resume for exit exams.
The governor promised to deploy the ambulances to the different local government areas of the State in line with his administration’s policy of ensuring that every part of the State is well equipped for any eventual medical emergency.
According to him, “I have to personally be here to receive these because there are a lot of corporate organizations in Nigeria and Africa who have not shown this kind of love to us. “To us as a people, this is a clear demonstration of love and we don’t take things like this for granted. And I want to thank BUA for their kind words and appreciation of what we have done so far.
“This goes a long way to demonstrate his interest in joining us to develop Akwa Ibom state. He has been showing this, I know a lot of things he’s planning and I pray God grant him success. “Your contribution is a clear demonstration of your corporate social responsibility to the entire people and above all it expresses the sentiment of love for the company and the citizens.
“We want to thank you and gladly receive this with all amount of happiness. I am sure I am expressing the feelings of the people of this state. We love him, we love the company and we appreciate this gesture”.
“We will move it to schools so that we can share to the SS3 and JSS3 students that have resumed”.
In Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu thanked BUA for its show of empathy, love and care for the average Nigerian since the outbreak of the pandemic and described the donation as timely.
Ikpeazu assured that the vehicles would be put to good use in reaching the hinterlands disclosing that the State has started community testing in all the Local Government Areas in the State with a view to covering at least 30 percent of the population.
“I want to publicly declare that BUA has shown empathy, they have shown how much love and care they have for the average Nigerians. My promise is that these ambulances will be put to good use to reach the hinterland and local government. The ambulances will help us drive our agenda and goal.
“We are testing rapidly, we testing quickly to make sure that at least 30 percent of our population are tested”. The Governor added.
Photo caption: Aliyu Idi Hong, Director of Government Relations, BUA (right); Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Emmanuel Ekuwem (second right); Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state (middle) and O’tega Ogra, Group Head Corporate Communications (left) during the donation of five ambulances and 100,000 reusable facemasks by BUA Group to help fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Akwa Ibom state at the Government House, Uyo.