The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has said the security challenges in the state will not stop the COVID-19 vaccines from getting to the grassroots.
Abiodun, in a statement issued on Twitter, said the state will soon launch the Western Security Network, codename Amotekun Corps, as a measure to address the challenges.
He disclosed this at a meeting with the state’s 20 local government transition chairmen yesterday.
Abiodun also revealed the state’s preparedness for the arrival of the vaccines, saying it has installed a solar-power cold chain.
The Governor said, “We have installed a solar-powered cold chain for the #COVID19 vaccines that have now arrived in Nigeria, and will be prioritising frontline healthcare workers in its administration.
“At the meeting we held with all Ogun State’s 20 Local Government Transition Chairmen earlier today, I disclosed this as I expressed confidence that the recent security challenges that is gradually phasing out will not stop the vaccine from getting to the grassroots.
“Specifically, two major measures are being put in place to address insecurity and access to remote areas.
“In addition to the Peace Committee, we will first launch the Amotekun security outfit in Yewa in the coming weeks. We will also rehabilitate the Papalanto-Ilaro Road, as well as construct link roads in other areas.”
At a meeting with the Management Board of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Abiodun “called for better synergy between federal and state health facilities.”
He said, “This will improve the health sector, especially as the Ogun State government is putting in place a data-gathering system for the entire value chain of the state’s health sector, towards managing patients and disease prevalence.
“We are also already working to resolve the challenges of water supply, access road to the new University of Medical Sciences, as well as the condition of equipment in the Accident and Emergency Ward of the federal facility.”