A Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, Governorship aspirant in Delta State, Mr Tony Obuh, has said that
the health policy of his administration, if elected, would be aimed at reducing
social disparities in health care (universal coverage) by placing emphasis on
primary health care. Deltans from all tribes graced the event. The crowd was
huge.
Obuh who spoke
yesterday during his official declaration for the governorship race at the
Cenotaph, Asaba, said; “emphasis will be on access to first intervention basic
healthcare, including public hygiene. Pregnant women and their babies, children
who are five and below, and the elderly will continue to have free medical
care.
“We will ensure functional
and sustainable healthcare delivery in communities through well-equipped
primary healthcare centres and continuation of renovation of our hospitals,
including providing them with modern equipment. All the local governments will
have functional health facilities, while our tertiary health facility at the
Teaching Hospital in Oghara will always receive prompt attention to put it at
par with other such institutions globally”. While saying they would pursue
their policies and programmes with renewed vigour, deep sense of responsibility
and deliver service proactively to every nook and cranny of the State, he said;
“towards this end, a bottom-up approach that guarantees responsiveness to the
yearnings of the populace will be adopted which is the hallmark of good
governance and leadership.
“I am ready to serve
in a more challenging capacity to impact on the lives of the people of Delta
State. In the last few months, we have consulted widely across the State,
received prayers; we have received thousands of telephone calls and text
messages, including personal visitations from all segments of our society
asking me to come to contest for the post of the Governor of our dear Delta
State.”
Continuing, he said:
“I am aware of the large cultivable lands around us which stand us in good
stead. If properly harnessed, it could be a vital tool in our quest for a Delta
Beyond Oil. In recognition of the fact that oil is an exhaustible resource, our
administration will encourage the growth of agriculture through sustaining and
strengthening of existing agricultural infrastructure. Communities will be
encouraged to concentrate on areas of comparative advantage.
“Our policy thrust
will focus on strategic agricultural production and support across the value
chain through agri-business market identification and entry strategies, export
promotion and market development, agricultural extension and training, including
storage, processing, packaging and transportation of fresh and perishable
produce to minimize post-harvest losses.
“To boost agriculture
and at the same time industrialization, major emphasis will be laid on
agro-based industries. A lot of agricultural products are produced within the
State. Our ability to process these farm produce will no doubt create job
opportunities for our youths.
“Unemployment is a
major challenge. To engage the large pool of the youth population in the State,
we need to redirect the curriculum of Technical Colleges and skills acquisition
centres, so that they can sharpen the skills of graduates and add professional
touch for purposes of self- employment and survival in a world that is more ICT
and self- employment driven.
“We will continue to
expand the coverage of the Micro-Credit Programme as a means of growing the
informal sector and reducing poverty. It remains a key instrument for advancing
the integration of our rural communities into the State’s economic mainstream.
Under the micro credit programme, there will be deliberate commitment to youth
and women empowerment.
Source: vanguardngr
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