
Donors and well-wishers have been encouraged
to contribute to farm inputs to enable strengthen farming activities in
Vihiga County amid ongoing countrywide fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
The Vihiga County Commissioner (CC) Ochilo Oyugi made the appeal during the
official launch of Vihiga COVID-19 Emergency Donor Fund Appeal initiative
at county government headquarters in Mbale town Monday.
The funds drive is aimed at attracting contributions from local
and international donors and well-wishers as the county
leadership continues to put in place measures to combat the coronavirus that
has already claimed thousands of lives across the globe since
the contagious virus was detected in December 2019.
The launch, which was presided over by Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo was graced
by legislators Mr. Alfred Agoi (Sabatia) and Mr. Charles Gimose (Hamisi),
Deputy Governor Dr. Patrick Saisi, County Assembly Speaker Mrs. Hasna
Mudeizi and several Members of County Assembly
(MCAs).
Oyugi expressed satisfaction over what he
described as fairly successful efforts done by the national and county
governments, donors and private individuals in addressing basic medical
equipment currently being used to curb spread of the virus in the county.
“However, alongside
provision of medical equipment and food relief we should also consider
putting in place livelihood measures that will sustainably help our people
wade through the present and post Covid-19 periods,” advised Oyugi.
With ongoing moderate rains pounding the region, the CC emphasized
the need for concerted efforts from donors to supply farmers
with recommended farm inputs to enable the county become food secure.
The county commissioner further urged the locals to also embrace livestock
farming.
Addressing the event, Governor Ottichilo hailed the elected leaders for
shelving political differences in order to collectively fight the deadly
virus.