Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has donated a truckload of rice to the Cross River Government to complement its palliative measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
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Dr Henry Ajagbawa, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of PHED, made the donation on Thursday in Calabar to the state government’s representative and Commissioner for Information, Mr Asu Okang.
Ajagbawa explained that the gesture was to cushion the effect of the stay-at-home directive of government due to COVID-19 pandemic ravaging many countries across the world.
The managing director/chief executive was represented by the Zonal Head of PHED in Cross River, Mr Maurice Ibo.
He lauded the pragmatic approach of the Governor, Mr Ben Ayade, including restriction of movement into the state, in curtailing the spread of the pandemic.
He said PHED would support the state by ensuring that power received from the national grid was distributed to all homes to enable residents to feel comfortable while obeying the stay-at-home directive.
“In supporting the palliative measures put in place by the state government, PHED has donated a truckload of rice in fulfilment of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
“All PHED staff have been trained on COVID-19 standard operating procedures such as social distancing and self-protection.
“We have also been provided with health protection gears to enable us to be at the frontline to ensure that electricity supply is stable during this period of lockdown.
“In our effort to stop the spread, several areas of our business operations have been automated to ensure limited contact with members of the public,” he said
He said the automated services included electronic payment of electricity bill, meter reading and fault complaints, among others.
Ajagbawa gave the assurance that PHED would continue to work closely with the state government and other relevant stakeholders to curtail the spread of the pandemic.
Receiving the items, Okang commended the electricity distribution company for the gesture, and said that the item would add value to the would-be beneficiaries, especially the vulnerable in society.
He said the donation signified the company’s good corporate social responsibility and would put food on the table of the residents.
“We are particularly pleased about this gesture. The governor was informed about this donation before we came here; I can tell you that he is very happy with this development.
“On behalf of the leadership of the COVICD-19 Response Team, we want to say a big thank you to the management of PHED for this great donation,” Okang said.