Simon Ushie, 12 August 2020
The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has called on well-to-do Cross Riverians to reach out to those in need in order to lessen the burden brought about by the he effects of Covid19.
The DG who made the call in Atan Onoyom, a Riverine Community in Odukpani Local Government Areas of Cross River State after distributing food stuffs and other personal and medical utilities to members of the community to caution the effects of the nationwide lockdown as a result of Covid19.
The DG who said the move was in line with His Excellency's mandate to ensure that the sufferings of people are lifted and to provide succor for disadvantaged families and raise hopes of better days for these vulnerable groups.
She said she is well informed about the untold hardship the lock down has created especially as it affect their socio- economic wellbeing, as she urged members of the community to remain hopeful of better days and government's commitment to ease their burdens.
"It is a privilege to be here today with my people ,we are here to support the people with the little we have so as to enable them feel a sense of belonging once again.
This commitment of ours is in line with His Excellency,Senator Professor Ben Ayade's vision to provide a shoulder for our weaker brothers and sisters to lean on.
We know that as a result of the Covid19 and its resultant lockdown across the state and country,families have lost their sources of livelihood which has brought untold hardship to them.
We must acknowledge the fact that our village and it's adjoining villages are riverian communities,and our people are predominantly fishermen,with people coming in from other states to buy our fishes and in turn improve our local economy but today,they catch fishes but can't sell.
That is what prompted us to show this little support .We are not just here to give them foods and material palliatives but also enlightened them on Covid19 and ways of staying safe .
I want to encourage other people who are capable or blessed in one way or the other to support those who are suffering devastating effects of the pandemic just like His Excellency, Senator Ben Ayade has done in reaching out to various communities".
Receiving the materials on behalf of the community, the Clan Head and village representative thanked the DG for always showing affection to the people as he promised to Distribute the materials in commensurate proportion to the targeted vulnerable groups.
Items distributed includes,Bags of Rice,Bags of Salt,Cartoons of Noodles, Vegetable Oil, Veronica Buckets, Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizers,Face Masks among others.
