Federal Government Approves Tinapa Regulatory -Imoke

The Federal Government has approved the Regulatory Framework for the commencement of operations at the Tinapa Business Resort in Calabar.
Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State disclosed this to members of the State Executive Council during its weekly meeting recently.
According to the Chief press Secretary/Special Assistant media, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, Imoke has appreciated President Umaru Musa Yar' Adua, Minister of Finance, Minister of Commence, Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice and the Comptroller General of Customs for “making the dream come true”.
Imoke also congratulated the president elect of the United States, Senator Barack Obama for winning the November 4, 2008 Presidential Election, adding that being an African/American is a lesson for Nigerians “that we should overcome ethnicity in our politics”
Imoke noted that the victory of Obama being a first generation African American shows that there is nothing that is impossible, adding that the election will bring positive chances to the world.
In another development, the State Government has awarded contract for the supply and installation of complete UHF. Television/Radio full transmission system for Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC).
Ntufam Edet Okon Asim, Commissioner for Information and orientation who briefed news men at the end of the State Executive Council Meeting, said the contract which would be undertaken in phases will cost about N958 million, stressing that the intention of government is hinged on the premise that both the state radio and television have great roles to play in re- branding the state, as well as, get government closer to the people through its programmes, projects and policies.
Assim disclosed that the contract is to be handled by a reputable contractor that has an impeccable track record in the electronic media industry, adding that it is intended to replace the epileptic transmission of the station whose services do not go beyond the shores of the state.
He said with new 20 kilowatt transmitters for both Radio and T.V, signals from the station would cover the whole state which is in line with government's policy of getting to those who needs government most as well as being able to get feed back from those that government serves.
On the rectification of the smooth take off of a sustainable free medical care programme for pregnant women and children under five years in the state, the Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs. Edak Iwuchukwu, stated that government has approved the procurement of an identification management system to kick start the process.
Accordingly, the system is to enhance the use of biometric identity cards for the beneficiaries of the free medical services and the conditional cash-transfer programme designed to assist poor household of Cross River origin, adding that the identity management system is to ensure that the state's social welfare programme is protected from abuse and infiltration so as not to frustrate the process.
Valued at about N330 million, Iwuchukwu said the procurement of the facilities and equipment will be used for image capturing and data collection in the 18 local government areas and the system will serve to fast track progress and stimulate positive impact on life expectancy of mothers and children.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Edet Ikpi said government has approved the formation of a Primary Healthcare Council to stream line its health intervention programmes for the maximum benefit of its citizenry, explaining that the council will be made up of local government council chairmen, commissioners for Women Affairs, Social Welfare, Local Government Commission, House of Assembly Committee on health members, representatives of civil liberty organizations and faith based organization.
Ikpi said the council evolve policies and, guidelines for implementation of the programme, as well as, approve products brought before it by a technical committee that is responsible for drawing up a work plan.
He stressed the need for adequate data collection, saying that the free medical services to pregnant mothers and children under five years is restricted to indigenes and residents of not less than 10 years in the state, as well as, tax payers.