Vivo Energy Ghana, the Shell Licencee, in partnership with its retailers has installed three water storage tanks and handwashing facilities at the Koforidua Central Market and Lorry Parks to ensure regular supply of water for handwashing toward the fight against COVID-19 in the Eastern region.
The initiative forms part of Vivo Energy Ghana’s Retailer Sustainability Programme, launched to support the fight against COVID-19 in various retail communities.
Other items donated to the Central Market and lorry parks included boxes of handwashing soaps, tissue paper, nose masks, hand sanitisers and four foot-operated handwashing facilities to encourage regular handwashing in these densely populated areas. The team also donated infrared temperature guns to the New Juabeng Municipal Assembly.
The Retailer Sustainability Programme forms part of Vivo Energy Ghana’s comprehensive programme on COVID-19 prevention being rolled-out to complement government’s efforts in combatting the virus in Ghana, and ensuring the decentralisation of support to local communities.
The Honourable Municipal Chief Executive of New Juaben South Assembly, Mr. Isaac Appaw-Gyasi who cut the tape to inaugurate the facilities, expressed his appreciation to Vivo Energy Ghana and its retailers for the timely intervention at the markets and lorry parks to prevent coronavirus from further infecting Koforidua and its environs.
“The gesture is timely, and I must commend Vivo Energy Ghana and its retailers who operate under the Shell brand for their intervention. I am very hopeful that this support will help curb spread of the virus among residents and commuters who use the lorry parks. I want to urge everyone to use the facilities whenever they visit these places to reduce cases in the region,” he advised.
The Market Queen of Koforidua Central Market, Nana Ama Bonsu, said installation of the water storage tanks will help solve the water shortage issue at the market – especially during this period when water is an essential element in the prevention of COVID-19.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr. Johnson Kyereh, lauded Vivo Energy for the kind gesture and charged his members to continue patronising Shell’s quality fuels and engine oils to support the company’s initiative.
Commenting on the programme, the Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana, Mr. Ben Hassan Ouattara, reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting government’s efforts against the virus to ultimately bring life back to normal.
“As an energy company, we care about our people, customers and communities, and believe that the Vivo Energy Retailer Sustainability Programme will help to reach, protect and minimise the impact of this life-threatening virus on people, especially those in our rural communities,” he said.
He further urged the beneficiaries to use the items for their intended purpose while observing safety protocols and the president’s directives on social distancing and wearing nose masks.
Since the Retailer Sustainability Programme’s launch, various government institutions have benefitted from it. These include the National Commission for Civic Education and Effiankwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region; Tamale Teaching Hospital in the Northern Region; and Kenyasi Health Centre and Ahinsan Camp Prison in the Ashanti Region.
