COVID-19: Akwa Ibom  State  Rejects Used Vehicles Donated By ExxonMobil

By UDO ONYEKA

 Akwa Ibom State Government  has rejected the 10 very old, used vehicles donated by ExxonMobil for use in the COVID-19 contact tracing in the state.

A statement signed by  the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Udoh said the decision to reject the reckety vehicles was taken at the State COVID-19 Committee meeting on Friday following an evaluation of the vehicles and other donations to the state by the oil company.

”  The vehicles are considered too old and not in good enough operational conditions to withstand the rigors of contact tracing which they were meant to serve”, the statement said.

The state government however accepted the two ambulances and 20 hospital beds also donated by the oil company, “despite the fact that the ambulances are converted buses while the beds are below the standard of those currently in secondary healthcare facilities in the state”, it said.

According to the Commissioner said Akwa Ibom State Government appreciates the continued support of corporate bodies and private individuals who have so far made cash or other materials donations towards the fight against COVID-19 in the state.

He also advised citizens and residents of the state to continue to maintain prescribed safety protocols.