Group offers free medical care to C’Riverians after 18-LGA tour

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

The Evidence Group has concluded its tour of the 18 local government areas of Cross River State with a grand finale in Calabar South, where it provided free medical consultations, health screenings and medications to residents.

The initiative, held at Atu Field, Calabar South, was part of the group’s efforts to complement government programmes, assess the impact of public policies and provide a platform for residents to communicate their concerns to relevant authorities.

Speaking during the event, the Director-General of the Evidence Group, Bassey Henry Eyoma, said the tour was designed to showcase projects and programmes of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and those of Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, while inaugurating the group’s chapter executives across the state.

Eyoma explained that Calabar South was selected for the grand finale because it was the 18th and final local government area visited during the tour and also hosts the state capital.

According to him, the exercise enabled the group to document government projects, interact with residents and obtain firsthand information about the impact of government policies and development initiatives across the state.

He said although the tour recorded no major challenges, the group received complaints from residents in some communities, which it subsequently communicated to the appropriate government authorities for possible intervention.

Eyoma cited the rehabilitation of the Abocheche Roundabout in Bekwarra Local Government Area as an example of an issue raised during the tour, noting that the state government had commenced work on the facility despite its location along a federal highway.

He also disclosed that the group met with the paramount ruler of Bekwarra and informed him that the road leading to his community had been awarded for construction.

The Director-General said the group would sustain its engagement with government officials and communities to ensure that concerns raised by residents received the necessary attention.

He added that the Evidence Group was committed to serving as a link between the people and the government by documenting community needs and communicating them to relevant authorities.

As part of its next phase of activities, Eyoma announced plans to extend the group’s engagement to tertiary institutions across Cross River State, with 12 campuses already identified for visits.

“We intend to go into the different campuses in Cross River State. We have marked out 12 campuses from the north to the south,” he said.

He explained that the campus visits would provide opportunities for the group to interact with students, listen to their concerns and identify challenges that might require government intervention.

Eyoma further said the engagements would be used to sensitise students on the state government’s plans for bursary payments following the signing of the budget into law.

The group also called on Cross River residents to support the All Progressives Congress (APC), with Eyoma urging voters to elect the party’s candidates in future elections.

He maintained that the Federal Government under President Tinubu and the Cross River State Government under Governor Otu had demonstrated commitment to development through various projects and programmes.

Earlier, the convener of the Evidence Group, Edem Bassey, announced the commencement of the free medical intervention for residents of Calabar South.

The exercise featured free medical consultations, health screenings and the distribution of medications to beneficiaries.

Bassey said the initiative was intended to improve access to basic healthcare services, particularly for residents who might face difficulties obtaining medical attention.

He stressed that a healthy population was essential for community development and meaningful participation in civic and economic activities.

The completion of the 18-LGA tour marks another phase of the Evidence Group’s engagement with communities across Cross River State, with its planned campus outreach expected to extend the exercise to students and other members of the public.