Cross River Govt distributes palliatives to needy, vulnerable

Cross River Govt distributes palliatives to needy, vulnerable

By Emma Una

CALABAR- THE Cross River State Government on Thursday began the distribution of palliatives to the needy and vulnerable across the state.

Mrs Bkessing Egbara, the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Social Welfare who who flagged off the exercise visited several orphanages, foster homes and elderly peoples homes to hand in the palliatives on behalf of the state government.

The items distributed include bags of rice, garri,  cartons of noodles, toiletries, sanitizers, facemasks,  and cash to stem the harsh effect of the lockdown on the poor and vulnerable.

"To cushion the effect of the lockdown, we are going round to visit those who are very dear to our hearts in line with the vision of His Excellency, Senator ,Professor Ben Ayade the Governor of the state who is our father. He has asked us to bring these palliatives to you to cushion the effect of the COVID 19 lockdown".

She stated that the government holds everyone in the state and would continue to do everything to make life easy and meaningful.

" We have  been doing rounds distributing items in the past and this is another round and we will continue to go round visiting those who need care the most to keep them in good state and happy".

Mrs Egbara said all homes for the needy and vulnerable all over the state will be visited  in the next few days to distribute the palliatives an ex exercise that will be sustained after the lockdown.

"We implore everyone to exhibit cleanliness, use the sanitizers and face masks  we have distributed which will not only  protect the user from contacting the virus but also spreading it".

The Commissioner said  Governor Ayade has since the outbreak of the pandemic taken strident measures to  stop  the infection from entering the state through the closure of state borders and introduction of no masks  no movement policy and these measures have greatly helped.

She called for cooperation from all in the state to ensure that the state remains COVID 19 free.

Responding, the recipients expressed joy for the items distributed to them and thanked the Governor and Commissioner for Humanitarian and Social Welfare for the kind gesture and prayed God to continue to sustain them.

Rev Sister Innocentia Ihenogwu, the Sister in charge of the Holy Family Princess of the Needy said the items given to the home by Mrs Egbara will go a long way in ameliorating the needs of the home.

" Since the outbreak of this pandemic, we have witnessed a big reduction in visits by individuals and organisations who usually cone here to assist but with this we are happy and know that if the government had much they would give us much so we are grateful".

She said the home has three acres of land on which they have been farming to produce food for the inmates.