NGO seeks intervention from Cross River Governor-Elect over quit notice by government agency

Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF), a not-for-profit organization under pact with the Cross River State Ministry of Budget in collaboration with National Planning to implement various programs across Nigeria has appealed to the governor-elect Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu to intervenein the 21 days quit notice issued to Tulsi Chanrai Foundation by the Cross River State Government to vacate their residence purported to have been sold as they have no-where to go since the timing is too short.

Pressmen sighted the letter with ref. number MLH/ED/42/VOL I, signed by its Chief Executive officer Shravan Kasam and routed via the member Representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Alex Egbona.

“To our surprise, we are in receipt of a communication dated April 25, 2023 and received on May 05, 2023 to quit the residence provided to us, as the government has sold the property.

“Currently, neither the letter has provided us with an alternative residence, nor do we have any other alternative and respectively request you kind intervention and support to enable us carryout smooth implementation of the programs that help thousands of Cross Riverians and others in enhancing their life”.

In conclusion, the TCF reiterated and assured the Cross River State Government of their support and commitment to health services across the state and looks forward to a favorable consideration from the Governor-Elect.

The letter with reference number MLH/ED/42/VOL I read: “Notice is hereby-by given to you that the Cross River State Government has sold the property at state Housing Estate, Calabar that you are presently occupying” dated April 25, 2023 read’s” “By this notice you are given 21 days of this notice to vacate the property and deliver vacant possession to the state Government to enable her to hand it over to the buyer. If you so (Sic) desire to be n the continuous occupation of the property, you may contact the new owner” and signed by Otu Ubi Bassey, an Assistant Chief Technical officer in charge of Estate in Ministry of lands read.

TCF has performed 1,600 free eye surgeries, reached more than 4 million population with free quality health care services and provided access to safe and clean drinking water to over 4 million of Nigeria;s population through the rehabilitation of over 8,300 boreholes across the country.

They said “As part of our mission for vision, to eliminate avoidable blindness in Nigeria, we conducted free eye surgeries in Cross River State, Kebbi State and the FCT in partnership with the respective state governments which Cross River State has been our heart of the programs where TCF is implementing all its programs successfully.

TCF has strengthened the Primary Health Care services across the state for 8 years. We have scaled health facilities from 160 to 1,800 centres in the 18 LGAs in the state as well as identified, placed and trained medical and Para-medical staff and provided technical support in monitoring and mentoring for effective program implementation.

In October 2003, TCF established an eye centre in the General Hospital, Calabar. So far we have conducted over 45,495 free eye surgeries helping Cross-Riverians and other Nigerians to restore their sight and enhance their quality of life.

TCF has rehabilitated over 520 boreholes across the state to provide access to safe and clean drinking water to the rural communities.

For the Eye project in Cross River State since 2003 the government has been providing accommodation and security to expatriate staff; required equipments and Para-medics at the hospital for conducting surgeries and other support services.

Similarly, TCF has been providing expatriate ophthalmic experts (Surgeon and Program Manager) drugs and consumables and conducting free surgeries for the people,

The TCF was brought in by Governor Liyel Imoke’s administration in partnership with the Primary Health Care department and aided in the streamlining of health information management asides from providing eye health care services across the state.

The FCT has performed thousands of surgeries in collaboration with state and other partners until late 2015 when Governor Ben Ayade’s led administration decided against renewing the partnership.

However, they remained in a few facilities offering eye care services with a new centre constructed and donated by the LIONS CLUB International to the at the General Hospital Complex in Calabar currently managed by them.

Efforts by newsmen to get comment from the office of the Assistant Chief Technical officer in charge of Estate in the Ministry of Lands was nought as at time of filing this report.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)