Detailing Cross River

Cross River State Government says total compliance on closure of mosques in the state will be enforce by the hadhoc taskforce Committe on COVID-19 inline with the directive given by Governor Ben Ayade on Social and religious shutdown order.

Commissioner for health, Dr Betta Edu who went round on inspection today, disclosed that no Friday Prayer held in any mosque in calabar after herself and her colleague visited the council of imams and Scholars in Cross River State at the Eastern Naval Command Central Mosque in Calabar.

Edu said the meeting became imperative, due to intelligence report given that some mosques were still praying in congregation, saying the directive is aim to curtail the deadly Coronavirus disease which has Continue to be on the increase in Nigeria.

The Commissioner said though, there is no confirm case of Covid-19 in Cross River yet,all efforts to stop it's coming into the state can only be achieved with the support of the Muslim Communities by keeping the stay at home order.

She again reminded the Imams and Scholars of "Closure of all mosques in the state pending when the order is lifted" according to the directive of the State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade.

On his part,the Special Adviser to the Governor on Muslim Affairs,Alhaji Hassan Tanimu whose office was Incharge of the meeting ,told the Muslim Scholars that churches have been given the same order "in the interest of our Health"

Tanimu who commended Dr Edu for her timely intervention on any issues related to health ,said Governor Ben Ayade had appointed a square peg in a quare hole.

"My people I only called the Commissioner for health concerning this meeting this morning and despite all her busy schedules at this critical time,she find time to be here with us,this is true service for the people"he said .

Some of the Imams who spoke at the event including,Chief Imam of Calabar Central Mosque, Ustaz Kabeer Olowolayemo,Major Alaaya of the 13 brigade of Nigerian Army, Navy, Imam of the two Bogobiri Central mosques and others assured Government of the enforcement order.

The Imams who thanked Governor Ayade for the appointment of special Adviser on Muslim Affairs which is the first in the history of the state,called for better working relationship between Muslims in the state and Government.

The Commissioner used the period of the meeting to distribute hand sanitizers and other protective equipments to the Council of imams and scholars to prevent COVID-19 pandemic .

COVID-19: Muslims obey State Directives over Closure of Mosque in Calabar--- Dr. Betta Edu

Nigerian Army, Police, DSS and others pledges Support to Cross River State Government Covid-19 Enforcement

As Cross River State Government step up enforcement for Covid-19 pandemic, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu with her Team comprising of the new Director General if SACA Dr Etcheri Ansa, DG of CRSPHCDA, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, Permanent Secretary SMOH, Takon Asu Takon and Board Director Dr Echeng Imoke, State Epidemiologist, Mrs Inyang Ekpenyong and Mr Alfred Mboto amongst others, visited the 13 Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army, DSS State Headquarters, State Immigration Office, Commissioner of Police office and Nigerian Civil Defence State Command to solicit support in enforcing restrictions occasdioned by Coronavirus outbreak which would ensure citizenry adhere to Stay at home directives amongst others.

Speaking, Dr Betta Edu said the Taskforce embarked on this important advocacy to garner support from the Military and paramilitary security agencies across the State to help enforce the laid down state Covid-19 protocols.

The Commissioner maintained that the advocacy campaigns to the Nigerian Army and other paramilitary agencies is initiated by the State government to assist in arousing the consciousness of residents to the need to break the cycle of transmission in the country by following restrictions issued by the Governor and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

To keep our state COVID-19 free protocols such as restriction on social gathering, social distancing, suspension of cultural and religious activities, transport regulations amongst others must be adhered to.

She used the opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army, DSS, Police, Immigration and Nigerian Civil Defence for their support to the state while calling on them to be part of the inauguration of the Cross River State Covid-19 Adhoc and Monitoring Taskforce. She appealed to the security agencies to remain vigilant, as all hands will be required in this fight.

Responding, Brigadier General O.T Olatoye commended the Cross River State Government for their effort so far in battling Covid-19 while calling on the State Government to put in place strict enforcement of borders across the state with his assurance to support the process. Olatoye further noted that the army will go beyond the usual as it activates it’s “second 11”.

Also Speaking, State Director of DSS, A.A. Ilupeju said the DSS will collaborate with other law enforcement agencies to support the State. He, However insisted that religious gathering should be suspended immediately.
He said even in the bible God instructed on respecting constituted authorities in accordance to the divine law going against constituted authority directives is going against Gods law. Similarly, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Nkereuwem Akpan promised to create special response team for the enforcement of laid down protocols by Cross River State Government for Coronavirus Pandemic.

Nigerian Army, Police, DSS and others pledges Support to Cross River State Government Covid-19 Enforcement

PEACE CORPS: CROSS RIVER STATE COMMANDANT DONATES HAND SANITIZERS, GLOVES AND NOSE MASKS TO CROSS RIVERIANS

March 26, 2020 No comments:

The Cross River State Command of the Peace Corps of Nigeria in its effort to sensitized the public against the dreadful disease, corona-virus otherwise known as Covid-19 which is currently raining havoc on the entire continents with its ruinous effect on the global economy has join the campaign on the preventable measures on how to curb the spread of the dreadful disease in the State.

The campaign which was lead by the able state commandant of the Corps Patriot (Dr) Okweche Dominic reiterated the commitment of the Corps to come up with this campaign to sensitized the public on how to keep maintaining public safety in line with the guidelines of the ministry of health towards curtailing the spread of the virus.

Dr. Okweche also used the opportunity to appreciate the State Governor H.E Sen. Ben Ayade for his relentless effort to safeguard the good people of Cross State by ensuring all hands are on deck to ensure Cross River State is kept safe.

The campaign which started from the Corps State headquarters in federal housing witnessed the State commandant sharing hand Sanitizers, gloves and nose masks to individuals around Federal Housing which they thanked the Commandant for his kind gesture.

In a separate response, some of the beneficiaries applauded the laudable humanitarian gesture of the Corps noting that the Corps is the only non governmental organization that has come to this length to ease the plight of the masses since the outbreak of the dangerous disease in the world.

In their appreciation they rendered prayers to the State Commandant and the Corps and wished that God will touch the heart of the President, to assent to the bill and make them government agency for them to do more.

The campaign moved through major streets in Calabar metropolis along Murtala Mohammed Highway to the popular and busy Watt market in Calabar with an inscription on a banner " JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORONA VIRUS INFECTION".

The state Commandant of the Corps took time to explained some of the preventable measure on the banner and admonished the public on the need to regularly used hand sanitizer, hand glove and nose mask as a way of maintaining public safety with a demonstration of proper use of the items to commuterss and passer-by.

The campaign came to a close with the distribution of hand gloves, hand sanitizers and nose masks and placement of banners to the admiration of the general public.

PEACE CORPS: CROSS RIVER STATE COMMANDANT DONATES HAND SANITIZERS, GLOVES AND NOSE MASKS TO CROSS RIVERIANS

March 26, 2020 No comments:

Sen Prof Ben Ayade set up COVID-19 Adhoc Monitoring Taskforce

In line with the directives of His Excellency, Sen Prof Ben Ayade to immediately set up COVID-19 Adhoc Monitoring Taskforce across the various 18 LGAs of the State.

The Cross River State Ministry of Health at this time of a global pandemic which we must protect citizens in our dear state, has set up a monitoring taskforce to contain the outbreak of the Pandemic.

The following are therefore co-opted into the Adhoc-Monitoring Taskforce:-

1. COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH - Team Lead
2. HOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ON HEALTH
3. OTHER COMMISSIONERS
4. DG CRSPHCDA
5. MGT. OF UCTH
6. MGT. OF CRSMOH
7. MGT. OF CRSPHCDA
8. NIGERIAN ARMY
9. NIGERIAN POLICE
10. NSCDC
11. DSS
12. DSNOs
13. CAN/MUSLIM REPRESENTATIVES
14. ALL PARAMOUNT RULERS
15. AIRFORCE
16. NAVY
17. IMMIGRATION
18. CUSTOMS
19. ROAD SAFETY
20. VIOs
21. DG BORDERCOM
22. ALL PAST COMMISSIONERS FOR HEALTH
23. GOVERNMENT APPROVED MEDIA PERSONNEL
24. ALL HOLGAs
25. NURTW, HEAD OF MOTOR & kEKE DRIVERS ASSOCIATION
24 ALL HEALTH DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
25 ALL MEMBERS OF EOC
26 DG ADVERTISMENT
27 DG SEA
28 HEAD OF MARKET WOMEN ASSOCIATION
29 IMMEDIATE PAST PERMANENT SECRETARY CRSMOH
30 HEAD OF SERVICE
31 HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
32 National Union of traders
33 NYCN CRS CHAPTER, NANS JCC, NACRISS WW, ALL SUG PRESIDENT'S IN CRS.
34. NMA REP
35. Medical Women Assoc NIGERIA CRS REP
36. SMOs
37. Private Hospitals REP
38. CRSPHCDA Board members
39. DLGHA
40. NNAM REP
41. SA Marine & SA Religious affairs
42. All Medical appointees of Government

Others as may be required

The collective expertise of the task force will help in developing protocol for Action.

Enforcement of Governor’s Directives as well as Federal Government directives,

recommendations on further protocols and best practices for Cross River State in the COVID-19, including advising on reversal triggers for when to reopen all entry and exit points.

Inauguration is on Thursday at Stadium by 10am.

Dr Betta Edu
COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH
Cross River State.

Sen Prof Ben Ayade set up COVID-19 Adhoc Monitoring Taskforce

C'RIVERIANS, WASH YOUR HANDS; HAND SANITIZERS ARE ONLY “STOP-GAP” MEASURE

In line with the commitment of Cross River State Government to ensure that Cross River State is Covid -19 free, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu has advised Cross Riverians to wash their hands regularly and stay at home!

In her statement, she said Covid-19 is real and must be prevented , everyone should endeavor to wash their hands regularly to reduce the spread of the dreaded novel coronavirus.

She further emphasized that while the government is trying it's best to provide hand sanitizers at critical areas, personal hygiene on the part of the citizens is most important. We should wash our hands regularly, hand sanitizer is only a stop-gap measure.

The safety and health of Cross Riverians remains our priority, She reiterated.

C'RIVERIANS, WASH YOUR HANDS; HAND SANITIZERS ARE ONLY “STOP-GAP” MEASURE

CRSG Deploy Health Workers To Various Border Towns and Remote Villages

The Cross River State government has deployed staff in the health sector to various borders in the state to sensitize and test travellers and residents on the global pandemic Covid19.

The Director General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr.Janet Ekpenyong who disclosed this in Calabar stated that directives had already been given to all 18 LGA Heads of the Primary Healthcare Development Agency to deploy staff into various villages especially communities that share borders with Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea to sensitize people, conduct temperature checks and share hand sanitizers.

She said the agency is partnering with Traditional leaders and community heads in disseminating messages on Covid19 using traditional media approach which include house to house visit, use of town criers, circulation of messages in various languages and peer group. The information to be shared include Awareness on signs and symptoms, preventive measures which include frequent hand washibg with soap under running water, good personal and respiratory hygiene, eating balanced diets and preventing harmful practices like tobacco and alcohol usage.

"Our Governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade, has shown great leadership in constituting the state Emergency Operations Centre which comprises of all stakeholders in the health sector , the Immigration service and other security outfits, traditional leaders and all concerned groups in tackling epidemics with Covid19 inclusive, and we in the Primary Healthcare Agency have declared operation house to house visit and set up surveillance in communities across the state, especially Local Government Area who share borders with neighboring countries. Before now, our Disease surveillance and notification officers had engaged in a down ranking training for staff in the LGAs,and all of our health workers have braced themselves with information and ways of managing the Covid19 pandemic, they are all aware and today are in the field to sensitize our people on ways of living a healthy life and prevent practices that will compromise their immunity"

Dr Ekpenyong had earlier stated that Cross River State remains Covid19 free with compliance to self submission of people for testing and temperature check which was undertaken by the governor Senator Professor Ben Ayade along side other members of the State executive council with the DG,taking the sensitization message to Riverian communities in Odukpani LGA.

Cross River State is surrounding and bounded to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea by Local governments which include Boki,Obanliku,Etung,Ikom,Bakassi, and Obudu with daily influx of people for various economic and social activities.

CRSG Deploy Health Workers To Various Border Towns and Remote Villages

The Cross River State government has deployed staff in the health sector to various borders in the state to sensitize and test travellers and residents on the global pandemic Covid19.

UBEC, SUBEB INSPECTS SCHOOL BASE MANAGEMENT PROJECTS

By Uchino Amatey

Following the Federal Government’s Commitment to encourage Communities to take ownership of schools through the introduction of School based management Committee - school improvement programme (SBMC-SIP). The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in collaboration with Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (CR-SUBEB) have embarked on a monitoring exercise for all SBMC-SIP projects in the State.

The Director of Quality Assurance CR-SUBEB, Mr Fransis Asaru, said the exercise was necessitated by the need to ascertain the level of work done and ensure that benefitting communities put government funds to good use.

Mr. Asaru said the SBMC-SIP allows communities with functional School Based Management Committees to access government funds to implement projects under three categories of Micro, Macro and special projects through provision of counterpart funds.

According to him, the counterpart fund generated by communities do not have to be monetary but communities can also access funds by providing working materials or artisans to assists in such projects.

Commending SBMCs for their dedication, the Principal Information Officer, UBEC, Mrs Tahoma Clifford, said she was impressed with the levels at which Communities are committed to the improvement of basic education,adding that all the projects visited had representatives to respond to questions asked, which shows how involved SBMCs are in the execution of projects.

She however advised the Board to increase monitoring of SBMC-SIP projects in other to ensure that SBMCs are not executing projects that outweighs funds provided and projects are completed within timelines.

The SBMC-SIP is different from the UBE intervention funds which have to do with counterpart fund at the State level.

At the SBMC-SIP level, funds are sent directly to benefitting Communities through the SBMCs.

SBMC-SIP was introduced by the federal government to encourage communities to take ownership of schools in other to curb vandalism, truancy and to support government efforts for quality education.

SBMCs access funds at three different levels; Micro, Macro and Special Projects. Micro projects allow communities to apply for up to two hundred and fifty thousand naira for a counterpart fund of twenty-five thousand naira.

For the macro project, communities can access up to two million naira, by generating a counterpart fund of two hundred thousand naira.

The special cases for the whole state are limited to a maximum of two or three schools benefiting from that and it allows them apply for five to seven million naira. They need to be able to produce between five hundred to seven hundred thousand naira in counterpart fund.

Some of the SBMC-SIP projects include; Procurement of 5-sets of Teachers Furniture and 15 pupils desk each at Army Children School, Ikot Ansa, Government Primary school. Ekpiri-Iko, PCN primary school, Akpet Central, Community Primary school, Obum/Etana, PCN primary school, Etono II.

Some others include; Renovation of Head teacher’s office and store at Government Primary School, Abenyo, Calabar Municipality, Renovation of toilet at Army Primary School II, Akim, construction of borehole fence at Mayne Avenue, Repairs of raft and leaking roof at Government Technical College, Biakpan, Renovation of 3-classroom block at PCN primary school, Ikun, Biase Local Government Area.

UBEC, SUBEB INSPECTS SCHOOL BASE MANAGEMENT PROJECTS

GOV. AYADE HAS SET C’RIVER ON COURSE FOR ALL-ROUND PROSPERITY – ARCHIBONG

By: Kingsley Agim

Cross River State Commissioner for Commerce, Mrs. RoseMary Effiom Archibong has stated that the State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade’s ingenious policy thrusts have set Cross River on a cruise to all-round prosperity.

The Commissioner, who made this assertion during her Ministry's sensitization seminar, held recently in the Conference Hall of Professor Eyo Ita House, Marian Road, Calabar, said the maiden outing of the Ministry of Commerce is to ensure the realization of her Ministry’s mandate in line with the policy direction of Governor Ayade-led administration.

“The Governor came with a dynamic vision of emancipating the people of Cross River State; getting us out of the mentality of monthly salary-based expectations into engaging in industrialization, agriculture, trading commerce, etc. and that is why we are here,” Mrs. Archibong remarked.

Continuing, the Commerce Commissioner pointed out that it is for the above-mentioned vision of the governor that he decided in his second term to exercise the commercial component of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry into a full-fledged Ministry, in order to underscore the exigency of getting the people involved in non-oil trading and marketing, exports business, which she maintained, began with setting up of the various industries in the State, adding that “today, those industries have started yielding fruits already, with the latest being the humongous orders for the garment factory to supply National Youth Service Corps Uniforms and many other uniform organizations.

The Commerce Boss averred that the coming of the Honourable Minister of Agriculture to the State on a tour of the agro-industrialization exploits of the Ayade-led administration, just like all others who have come before, would leave him in awe of the lofty strides Cross River has made under the present government.

“It is in view of all of these that the Ministry of Commerce decided to begin this interactive session to keep the people of the State more informed about the endowments in the State. The State is endowed with all sorts of exportable and exploitable goods. The State hosts a port, and that is why we must know the dynamics of port activities and the various levels and possibilities of maritime trade. She said having seen the gateway to prosperity with what the present administration has made possible, the seminar will keep the people well informed, better positioned to embrace all available avenues in sector,” she stated.

She enjoined President Muhammadu buhari to expedite action in support of the speedy completion of the Bakassi Deep Seaport for the country to benefit from its nearness to the Eastern and Western African sub-regions, as well as the Northern and South-Eastern parts of the country.

In his opening declaration, the Chairman of the event, who is also the Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Commerce, Industry, Investment Promotion, Public-Private Partnership and Privatization, Hon. Chris Njar Mbu_ogar, said he decided to give primacy to the event, firstly because of the person involved – Mrs. RoseMary Archibong, whom he quipped “is replete with the verve to drive the processes necessary for the economic development of cross River State,” expressing optimism that the Ministry of commerce is evolving a very sound footing that Cross Riverians will definitely be proud that the economy of this State will be resting on her shoulder.

The towering legislator further stated that this event is important to him base on his position in the hallowed chamber and thirdly, he pointed out that “it is an event that will create a Cross River State and indeed Nigeria beyond oil.”
Continuing, Hon. Mbu-Ogarr remarked: “I am a firm believer in the Ayade’s theory of economic development, which is a shift from Marxism and the rest of other Economic Theorists, concerning itself with the evolution of a turn-around economy which is more practical in entrenching prosperity for all.”

The lawmaker averred that the stringent present financial situation of the Cross River and the loss of her littoral status by the loss of the 76 oil well and Bakassi, gave rise to the robust industrialization drive of the State, commending the governor for his foresighted innovations, especially the G-money initiative which is empowering young Cross Riverians to venture into agriculture, while the government becomes the off-taker.

“I want to thank you for putting up and driving this initiative. I believe sincerely that the synergy of CALCCIMA, NPA and the Ministry of Commerce is going to take Cross River become the leading State economically in no distance future. I am so excited to find the crème de la crème of men and women participating in this event. From the House of Assembly and to the extent that I continue to sit as the Chairman of this Committee, whatever is required to make this vision thrive, you will have it,” he concluded.

An outpour of goodwill messages, notably from the Chairman of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agricultuure (CALCCIMA), Mr. Etta ndoma-Egbba, Represenaative of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Calabar, Mr. Chijioke Okadike, and the General Manager, Eco Marine Terminals, Mr. Diran Akorede, all heaped praises on Governor Ayade for the remarkable feat in agro-industrialization in the State, while pledging continued partnership with the government in moving the State forward.

The expository one-day event, tagged “Promoting Ecoonomic Growth through Export and Maritime Business, had speakers drawn from the private sector as well as Commissioners and top officials from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

GOV. AYADE HAS SET C’RIVER ON COURSE FOR ALL-ROUND PROSPERITY – ARCHIBONG

CRHA; CR ASSEMBLY VOWS TO UNRAVEL CAUSES OF OBUDU CRISIS, SUMMONS TRADITIONAL RULERS

March 19, 2020 No comments:

Abara Etop

The Cross River State House of Assembly, has resolved to unravel the immediate and remote causes to the lingering crisis between Kutia Community in Begiade Ward and Ukwortung, in Utugwang North Ward, Obudu Local Government Area of the State.

In a motion of ugent public importance, brought before the House by the Member representing Obudu State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Akwaji.

The Lawmaker, prayed the House to wade into the matter which started like a joke, two weeks back, but has finally taken about five lives and destroyed many properties including the palace of a Clan head, as well as farmlands and Crops, in the area, adding that for now, nobody goes to farm for fear of the crisis which has blowned into full communal war between this Communities.

During plenary, Members condole the people of Obudu for the lost of lives and condemned in it's entirety the war which has left serveral people death as well as disstroyed properties worth millions of Naira, blaming the crisis on Land struggle, among the two Communities which has lasted for over Fifty years.

Akwaji, noted that the holding action by traditional institutions, in the area has not yielded results, Government must have to come in to fine lasting peace.

The House however called on the Governor, Commissioner of Police and other security Agencies to move to the war area and maintain peace and order, as well as SEMA to provide some relief materials to reduce their suffering.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams, there after directed that all the traditional rulers appear before the House on Wednesday, March 25th 2020, to offer explanations.

CRHA; CR ASSEMBLY VOWS TO UNRAVEL CAUSES OF OBUDU CRISIS, SUMMONS TRADITIONAL RULERS

March 19, 2020 No comments:

CRSHIA assured of support from formal sector, organized labour ahead of enrolment kick-off

By: Kingsley Agim, CRS-MOI Information Officer, reporting from CRSHIA

In a bid to strengthen advocacy ahead of the April 7 enrolment flag-off and elicit total buy-in from residents of the State into the Health Insurance Scheme, the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency has received a boost through support coming from the formal sector and organized labour bodies in the State.

The Support came from the State Head of Service, Dr. Chris Ekeng Ita, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation, Rt. Hon. Moses Onor, the Chairman of Cross River State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Ben Ukpepi and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Comrade John Odey in a plethora of recent advocacy visits to the aforementioned heads.

In the Agency’s first point of call, Head of Service of Cross River State, Dr. Chris Ekeng Ita, stated that the passage of the Hhealth Insurance Law in 2016 and the subsequent enrolment to commence in April, gives him hope for the realization of quality and affordable healthcare service delivery in Cross River State.

“It gladdens my heart that we have come to this level. Because children under the age of five years; pregnant women, and the vulnerable population would be catered for. I am happy that the State has risen up to its primary responsibility of providing affordable and quality health care for the citizenry,” the Head of Service remarked.

The State’s number one civil servant expressed delight at the Health Insurance blueprint and the progress so far, cautioning that the Third Party administrators must be seasoned practitioners, who know the terrain of the State and possess the requisite capacity to reach out to the population of the State.

He congratulated the Health Insurance Agency, on behalf of the State civil servants, for doing thus well, and hoped that the Agency delivers on its mandate.

In his remarks, the second host, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation, Rt. Hon. Moses Onor, called for a consolidated database for the CRSHIA that would enhance free flow of information and progress of work in order for the leadership and stakeholder to make informed decisions concerning the Scheme.

Rt. Hon. Onor hoped that with the capacity of the Head of the Agency, the Cross River State Health Insurance scheme is bound to succeed.

In the Team’s third point of call, the Chairman, Cross River State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Ben Ukpepi, thanked the Director-General of the CRSHIA, Chief Godwin Iyala for recognizing labour in the State as an ally in the realization and implementation of the scheme, noting that the organized labour and its affiliates are completely in support of the Health Insurance Scheme.

The labour leader said his union will continue to ensure that government lives up to its billing by giving priority attention to health care, as he paraphrased the adage “health is wealth.”

“Labour will continue to agitate that health facilities in the State are upgraded to enhance the smooth operations of the Scheme,” Comrade Ukpepi avverred, pointing out that with tangible commitment of on the scheme, citizens and residents of the State will be compelled to enroll into the programme.

He applauded Governor Ben Ayade for committing one percent of the State’s Consolidated revenue Fund to the Scheme, adding that on receipt of the Federal Government’s one percent Consolidated Revenue Fund for meant for the 36 States and Federal Capital territory, Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme will have a better footing towards providing quality health care service delivery foor the people of the State.

Articulating his views, Chairman of the trade union Congress, Cross River State Chapter, Comrade John Odey, who expressed his Union’s support to the Scheme, called for the establishment of more health facilities across the State, as well as increase the strength of health personnel to improve the onerous responsibility of healthcare service delivery.

Comrade Odey charged government to expedite action on the pending release of the 1000 health workers recruitment, update existing health centres for ease of operation of the Scheme.

Earlier, the Director-General of the CRSHIA, Chief Godwin Iyala, said the essence of his Agency’s advocacy programme was to keep critical stakeholders abreast of the impending enrolment exercise, the advantage of the programme, the state of affairs and other relevant information tantamount to the scheme.

The CRSHIA Team concluded its day’s activity with an enlightenment meeting at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Ikot Ishie Parish, Calabar.

CRSHIA assured of support from formal sector, organized labour ahead of enrolment kick-off

COVID-19: DR BETTA EDU TAKES AWARENESS TO ETIM EDEM PARK AND MARIAN MARKET

With WHO declaring Corona Virus (COVID-19) a Global Pandemic and barely 24hrs ago Nigeria recorded another case of Corona virus in Lagos different from index case, the CRSMOH under the leadership of the workaholic and assiduous Commissioner Dr Betta Edu has called on Cross Riverians to be on alert and report any suspected case to the State Ministry of Health. She advised that for this period the Ministry of Health must be notified of every big meeting, gathering or event to enable us deploy teams that will screen everyone going into the event. As much as possible we must avoid big gatherings.

She has asked that Cross Riverians especially children and the elderly should avoid foreign trips for now except they are very essential. People having signs and symptoms should self Isolate and immediately call for evaluation and movement to the isolation center. If you see any suspected case of fever, headache, cough, sneezing, etc should report.

In collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) Cross River State Chapter has taken the sensitization awareness campaign for COVID-19, LASSA FEVER, and other Viral Diseases to the highly populated Etim Edem Park and Marian Market.

An event which had the Health Boss Dr Betta Edu, the DG CRSPHCDA Dr Janet Ekpenyong, WHO representative Dr Raju, the State Epidemiologist Mrs Inyang Ekpenyong and other important health personnel recorded success as the Honorable Commissioner for Health in her usual way sensitized the masses on the possible preventive measures with the good news of the State being free of the said virus.

She listed all necessary efforts put forth by the State Government to curb/manage any case. She threw more light on the equipment of the Isolation Center at UCTH to a WHO approved standard and the desire of Sen Prof Ben Ayade to keep doing more..

The DG CRSPHCDA Dr Janet Ekpenyong advised market men and women on regular hand washing to avoid contacting this viral diseases. She solicited that anyone with symptoms relating to what they've just be sensitized about should visit the nearest health facility or call the State Epidemiologist on 08038699957 as the State is prepared to tackle any suspected case.

The exercise ended with a practical demonstration led by the commissioner on hand washing and hand sanitization as thousands of hand sanitizers were being shared to the masses who applauded the State Governor with the regular shout of DIGITAL! DIGITAL!! DIGITAL!!! AYADE IS WORKING!!

COVID-19: DR BETTA EDU TAKES AWARENESS TO ETIM EDEM PARK AND MARIAN MARKET

CORONAVIRUS: CR LAWMAKERS SEEK PREVENTIVE MEASURES

By Itam Offor, MOI Officer reporting from Cross River State House of Assembly.

Concerned about coronavirus, the global pandemic currently ravaging different parts of the world, Cross River Lawmakers have called on the Government to urgently put in place measures to forestall the spread of the disease in the state.

The Lawmakers who expressed concern about the influx of goods and persons from the neighboring Cameroun without proper checks, resolved that, a combined team of relevant military and paramilitary outfits and other relevant agencies be mobilized to regularly patrol the State’s border with a view to checking Illegal movement of goods and persons.

The House further resolved that the State Ministry of Health should urgently provide sanitizers and temperature testing equipment to public institutions including schools, offices and other public places across the State in line with global preventive regulations.

These resolutions were taken after Members deliberated on a matter of urgent public interest sponsored by Hon Elvert Ayabem Ekom representing Ikom II, who drew the attention of his colleagues to the influx of goods and persons from Cameroun through Ikom, Mfum, Ikang and Ajassor borders into the state.

Ekom further observed that Cameroun has recorded a confirmed case of the corona virus and lamented that Cameroonian refugees are freely entering the state without proper checks.

The lawmakers unanimously agreed that the spread of coronavirus, also known as Covid 19 in China, Italy, France, USA other more developed nations of the world is alarming hence the need for urgent steps to be taken to intensify regulation of entry and exit in all borders across the state.

Members also decried the absence of any form of preventive measures in the assembly complex asking for medical personnel to be stationed at the entry of the complex to scrutinize all those entering the complex.

On his part, the speaker, Rt Hon Etem Williams directed the clerk to send clean copies of the resolution to the Governor and other stakeholders for implementation.

CORONAVIRUS: CR LAWMAKERS SEEK PREVENTIVE MEASURES