The Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, in a significant move to enhance public service delivery, has commissioned a fleet of 10 new ambulances and taken delivery of 10 patrol vehicles for security agencies.
The event, which took place on Friday at the Government House in Akure, also saw the governor present official cars to newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to efficiency in healthcare, security, and the civil service.
Strengthening Emergency Medical Response
Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized that his administration’s vision for healthcare extends beyond policy and infrastructure. He stressed that quality healthcare delivery requires tangible resources and rapid response mechanisms.
“To us, the delivery of medical services goes beyond policy statements and is not just about the building of healthcare centres,” the Governor stated.
He outlined a comprehensive approach to medical services, highlighting the importance of access to genuine drugs and, crucially, prompt transportation to hospitals. The newly acquired ambulances are a direct response to this need, designed to ensure rapid evacuation of victims from homes and accident scenes.
The Governor also noted that ongoing road rehabilitation projects, combined with the efforts of local government councils in grading rural roads, will complement the new fleet by reducing travel time to primary healthcare centres.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, provided details on the new acquisitions, describing the procurement as the largest of its scale in recent years. The fleet, procured to strengthen emergency response services, comprises three advanced life-support ambulances and five basic medical ambulances. He further disclosed that additional ambulances have been included in the current year’s budget to continue this trajectory of improved emergency care.
Security Reinforcement with Donor Support
In a major boost to the state’s security architecture, Governor Aiyedatiwa revealed that Sunbeth Global Concept, led by Olasunkanmi Owoeye, has donated 10 Toyota Hilux high-grade patrol vehicles to the state.
The Governor stated that these vehicles will be strategically deployed to various security agencies, including the police, civil defence, the military, the air force, airport services, and the anti-land-grabbing task force. He charged the recipients to use the vehicles strictly for their intended official purposes, urging them to maximize their utility in safeguarding lives and property.
Motivating the Civil Service
The event also served as a platform to recognize the contributions of the state’s civil servants, whom Governor Aiyedatiwa described as the “engine room of government.” He handed over official cars to new Permanent Secretaries, underscoring the administration’s belief that incentives are vital for optimal performance.
The Governor maintained that promotions, bonuses, vacations, and official vehicles are essential tools to enhance the productivity of civil servants. However, he issued a firm warning against the unauthorized personal use of the official cars, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Speaking on behalf of the new Permanent Secretaries, Mrs. Yemi Pirisola expressed their profound gratitude to the governor and pledged their unwavering loyalty and commitment to the administration’s goals and the development of Ondo State.
Phased Distribution and Future Plans
Providing context to the ceremony, the Head of Service, Bayo Philip, explained that this distribution represents the second phase of the government’s vehicle allocation programme. He noted that with this phase, only a few retirees and a new set of Permanent Secretaries are yet to benefit, indicating a systematic approach to equipping key personnel.
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