By Bampia James Bundu
Addax Bio Energy has joined in the fight against Ebola in the country by presenting Le35 million and one Hilux van to the ministry of health as support to combating the killer haemorrhagic virus.
Presenting the cheque and keys to the van at the ministry’s conference room in Freetown, ADDAX General Manager, Trevor Endres, commended their “hard work in ensuring that they combat the deadly disease in the country.”
He noted that Ebola was not a disease that should be treated with carelessness because it needed the concerted effort of all to combat it. He said the staff -local and expatriate - contributed the sum of Le 20 million whiles the company provided the remaining Le15 million and one Hilux van.
Endres, who represented the bio-fuel and sugarcane plantation company, said they were also concerned about the deadly virus “because if it spills over across the country, it will not only hinder development but will also affect our operations”. He therefore appealed to the ministry to use the resources they had provided to educate and sensitise people in Tonkolili and Bombali districts where the company's farms.
Receiving the donation, health minister Miatta Kargbo welcomed the gesture and thanked Addax for their support to the cause saying the outbreak warranted the concerted effort of all. She assured that their request for the judicious use of their money in the north would be considered even though “all what we get we will put into one basket and later see how we disburse funds to various areas in the country.”
She called on the company to continue with their corporate social responsibilities especially in their areas of operation but also across the country.
Director of Disease prevention and control, Dr. Amara Jambai described the donation as timely.
“We are in dire need of a vehicle in Kailahun. With this kind of support, we will dispatch this vehicle to Kailahun to augment the others,” he said, adding that Ebola was deadly and had become a national issue that must be treated with seriousness.
(C) Politico 22/07/14
