The member representing Oshimili South Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Honourable Bridget Anyafulu, has flagged off two major social intervention programmes aimed at expanding economic and healthcare access for her constituents.
The programmes are the Sustainable Micro Economic Empowerment Scheme (SMEES) and the Sustainable Health Insurance Transformative Inclusion Initiative, SHIFT-I.
The flag-off ceremony took place in Asaba, the state capital, during the Oshimili South Constituency Annual Town Hall Meeting, organised by Honourable Anyafulu to present her stewardship report in the 8th Assembly, in line with her campaign promises.
At the event, one thousand vulnerable persons were instantly enrolled into the Delta State Health Insurance Scheme, granting them access to free healthcare services in their chosen hospitals for one year.
Under the SHIFT-I initiative, about four hundred micro-business owners benefitted from the SMEES programme, while persons living with disabilities received assistive aids through Honourable Anyafulu’s non-governmental organisation, the Initiative for Community Welfare and Capacity Development (ICWECD).
Addressing the gathering, Honourable Anyafulu thanked the people of Oshimili South for their continued support and reiterated her commitment to leadership anchored on transparency, accountability and openness. She noted that her administration prioritises education, healthcare, women and youth empowerment, peace and security, as well as support for vulnerable individuals and households.
She disclosed that following a needs assessment, her office has provided educational materials to pupils in over six hundred and twenty primary and secondary schools, sponsored quiz and essay competitions, executed infrastructural projects in public schools, and paid WAEC and JAMB fees for students from underprivileged backgrounds.
Honourable Anyafulu also announced that three plots of land have been secured for the construction of primary healthcare centres at Umueze Quarters and the 74 Area of Infant Jesus, provided land for a secondary school at Oko Ogbele, sustained free market medical outreach programmes at Ogbe-Ogonogo and Abraka markets, and attracted critical infrastructure to Oshimili South. She added that she co-sponsored several bills within the period under review.
In their goodwill messages, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Honourable Emomotimi Guwor, the Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr Isaac Akpoveta, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, as well as representatives of the Oshimili South Local Government Council, the Commissioner for Child Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, and the Christian Association of Nigeria, commended the initiative and described Honourable Anyafulu as a worthy representative.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of health insurance cards and empowerment items to beneficiaries, as well as the conferment of a Health Insurance Ambassador Award on Honourable Anyafulu by the Delta State Contributory Health Commission.
The event attracted dignitaries including members of the State House of Assembly and the traditional ruler of Oko Community, Dr Osita Onwuka the First.
NIM
