By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has donated hand sanitisers and other support worth multi-million naira to five states within the South-East to effectively tackle coronavirus pandemic.

The five states, which fall under the company’s business franchise area, include Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.

Making the presentation to Enugu State Government on Thursday in Enugu, the EEDC Head of Communications, Mr Emeka Ezeh, said that the alcohol-based hand sanitisers being donated was to support various states governments on their efforts to fight coronavirus.

According to Ezeh, EEDC as a responsible and responsive corporate citizen wants to support the five states governments and their people in protecting themselves against the dreaded coronavirus.

“We are here to make this presentation to support the efforts of the Enugu State Government in its efforts to check the spread of coronavirus otherwise known as COVID-19.

“EEDC believes that the hand sanitisers will go a long way to assist the State Government and other states governments in the South-East and health workers especially those at the front-line to protect themselves better,” he said.

The EEDC spokesman noted that the company had gone ahead to ensure regular and steady power supply to isolation centres, test centres and treatment centres.

He noted that regular and steady power supply also goes to other such hospital facilities set up by the Federal and state governments within its franchise area.

“The company will ensure that all centres not energised are energised and they will run on regular and steady power supply to give the governments the needed support this period,” he assured.

Speaking, the EEDC Head of Safety and Environment, Mr Francis Iwu, said that the donation was all about ensuring safety of the company’s esteemed customers and their love ones within the zone.

“As a company that has safety as a top priority; the hand sanitisers will ensure the safety of everyone within its franchise area especially health workers in the zone,” Iwu said.

Responding, Dr Ifeanyi Agujiobi, the Permanent Secretary of Enugu State Ministry of Health, lauded EEDC for “the great and wonderful gesture”.

“It is a kind gesture coming from the EEDC and it is highly commendable.

“These cartons of hand sanitisers will go a long way to assist the state government and by extension the ministry in its fight against the COVID-19,” Agujiobi said.

He lauded the EEDC for commiserating with the ministry over the recent demise of its Commissioner, Prof. Anthony Ugochukwu.

“On the aspect of assisting to energise some of our centres, I will discuss it with the state governor and get back to you,” he said.

Highlights of the event were the symbolic receipt of one of the cartons of the hand sanitisers by the Permanent Secretary as well as the EEDC Head of Communications signing a condolence register open for the late Prof. Anthony Ugochukwu, former Health commissioner who died recently.

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