6th April 2020
The Cross River Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Lions Club in Calabar have donated 1,500 bottles of alcohol based sanitizers, 1,200 liquid soap and 1,500 nose masks to residents in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South including the Nigeria Police and the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation.
Speaking, the State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Mfon Bassey, said the donation became necessary following the scarcity and hike in price off the sanitizers and face masks.
He said that as a way of giving back to the society, the ministry had to collaborate with lions club with a view to donate the essential items and sensitise the people on the preventive measures of Covid-19.
Hon. Bassey said that the items were shared free of charge with a view to help residents in the state to adhere strictly to set guidelines on safety.
Representatives from Lions Club, Mr Michael Udosen and Anthony Doherty, said the gesture was carried out to give the people a sense of belonging to prevent them against the pandemic.
They lamented that the sanitizers were in high demand and scarce as well, hence the need to ameliorate the stress of some of those in need of the items.
The Executive Secretary of CUDA, Mr Joe-Mary Ekeng Ita, who also donates some items, said the Authority was concerned about good health and clean environment for sustainable growth.
The essential items were shares to members of the public at Mbukpa, Atakpa police state, Area Command and the State Police Command.
Other places visited include Watt market, marian market, mbukpa market, bogobiri, goldie by mayne Avenue and Iman junction in Calabar South respectively.
The Commissioner of police, Mr Uche Anozie, who received the items at the State Police Command in Calabar, thanked the Commissioner for Environment and Lions club for having the people's interest at heart.
Anozie, who was full of joy, said the items would go along way in preventing the spread of the virus in the state.
A market woman, Mrs Patricia Okon, who received a 100mls bottle of sanitizer, said before now she could not afford the sanitizer because of the hike in price.
She expressed appreciation to the Commissioner and Lions Club for remembering the vulnerable at this critical period where many people could not afford sanitizers and face masks.
She prayed God to continue to bless and prosper Hon. Mfon Bassey and all members of Lions Club for their show of love and magnanimity.
