Ebonyi State Government is to establish a mega Drug Distribution Center in the State to curb drug abuse and misuse. Governor Francis Nwifuru announced this while addressing members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ebonyi State Chapter who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abakaliki.
The Governor noted that the centre when completed will further enhance access and delivery of quality drugs to Ebonyi Citizens in record time. “You requested for Drug Distribution Center as it is in Kano, Kaduna and Anambra, I am interested and I direct the Commissioner for Health to ensure that the construction starts before the end of next week.”
He called on members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ebonyi State Chapter to brace up in the fight against infiltration of quacks in order to save Citizens from consequences of wrong usage of drugs. “I must tell you that I am happy that you are here, happy because the visit is apt, we have a serious challenge, we enacted a Law in 2019, anti-quackery but that law has not been fully operational and it will operational this time around.
The Governor also restated the preparedness of his administration to roll out drug revolving scheme to ensure proactive dispensing of drugs to any part of the State. Earlier, the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ebonyi State Chapter, Pharmacist Benard Anasi commended the Governor for his approval for the recruitment of 39 Pharmacists into the Health Sector and assured of their readiness to render technical support to the Government in implementing its agenda in the Sector.
“Your Excellency Sir, we are here to pledge our solidarity and support to your efforts of building bridges of friendship across professional bodies to improve the wellbeing of our people. We are very grateful to His Excellency for graciously approving the employment of 39 pharmacists and other health professionals to bring health closer to Ebonyians.”
Meanwhile, Governor Francis Nwifuru has said that the welfare of workers of Ebonyi State would remain one of the priorities of his administration. The governor who gave the assurance when he played host to the State Executive of the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE noted that Local system as the third tier of government is germane to the development of the state because of its closeness to the people.
The Governor expressed satisfaction with the level of support from Ebonyi workers during electioneering and urged NULGE to continue to lend their support to the policies and program of the government. “I commend you for showing good understanding with the State Government in the ongoing verification of Staff across all Local Government Areas and be assured of regular promotion of Civil Servants.
I directed that each of the staff cleared by the verification committee should receive his or her salaries immediately “The State President, Comrade Stanley Ewah while disclosing the intention of NULGE to invest the Governor as their Grand Patron, announced the Conferment of “Ohamadike 1 of NULGE on the Governor. He solicited improved welfare package to workers in the Local Government System under the present administration.