*Current percentage of infant and maternal deaths unacceptable —Gov Wike

PORT HARCOURT—Rivers State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has said that the state government will implement strategic programmes to reduce infant and maternal mortality in the state.

Speaking at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, when he received Mr Wilbroad Ngambi, Head of United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, Governor Wike said that the current percentage of infant and maternal deaths remain unacceptable.

Wike

Wike said there was the need to address the issue, with a view to reducing it to the barest minimum.

He said that his administration gives priority to health issues, especially when the health of children and women was involved.

The governor noted that the state government will release the necessary counterpart funds to UNICEF to enable the organisation implement relevant programmes that will improve the living conditions of the people.

He said: “We will collaborate with UNICEF to improve the living condition of our people, especially in the area of reducing infant and maternal mortality.”

The governor directed the Ministries of Water Resources and Environment to work with UNICEF to assess the communities that will benefit from the water and sanitation projects.

Earlier, Head of United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, Rivers State Office, Mr Wilbroad Ngambi stated that the new office will coordinate activities in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Bayelsa states.

He said that UNICEF will continue to partner the Rivers State Government to enhance the living standard of the people.

Mr Ngambi urged the state government to pay its counterpart funds for the implementation of the 2016 programme of the organisation.