Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has said that frontline health workers battling the deadly coronavirus in the state will soon be blessed with their own houses.
The Ayade administration is pursuing Health Workers Estate, a project of two and three bedroom bungalows.
Governor Ayade who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tina Agbor, a lawyer remarked that the development was timely as it will save health workers the stress and burden associated with paying rent, amidst other expenses.
‘’This development will go a long way to ease health workers from the stress of struggling to pay rents, send their kids to school and other challenges. The comfort of having a house of your own and the joy that comes with it is the reason Ayade has vowed to see this project reach completion giving every necessary support as a government’’, says the SSG.
He pointed out that the project will provide 400-housing units to the state wing of Medical and Health Workers Union, giving them a permanent home to call theirs.
Agbor also thanked the project financing partners, the Federal Mortgage Bank, under the leadership of Ahmed Dangiwa, an architect, for its support and sponsorship.
Health Commissioner, Dr Betta Edu, during the ground breaking ceremony commended the medical and health workers in the state and the governor for his foresight and mega vision that resulted in them having an estate.
She thanked all partners especially the CEO of FMBN, Dangiwa, MD/CEO of AGMB, Ngozi Onyemuwa, MD/CEO of Nestvier Nigeria Limited, Ernest Joes Obasse, for their support and partnership, and equally applauded the host community, Akim Akim in Odukpani Local Government Area for bringing civilisation to their people and also creating job opportunities for them.
‘’With a 400 housing unit accommodating over 400 families that will end up providing shelter to over 2400 persons, the impact will be of great benefit and immense help to our people. We strongly believe that the access road will be done as soon as possible’’, Edu said.
In attendance the were CEO of AGMB, Ngozi Anyogu, Dr Chris Oku who represented the FMBN chief, the NLC Chairman, Ben Ukpepi, NANNM Chairman, Josphine the DG of the CRSPHCDA Dr Janet Ekpenyong, Permanent Secretary of the health ministry, Takon Asu, SA on Health, Dr David Ushie, Director of Public Health, Dr Iwara Iwara, traditional rulers, Nestvier staff and a host of others.
