The National Population Commission (NPC) Cross River State led by the Honorable Federal Commissioner (HFC), Rt. Hon. Alex Ukam paid a courtesy visit to the leadership and members of Cross River State National Assembly Caucus to advocate support for Intensified Birth Registration across the State.
In two separate meetings held on 3rd & 4th July, 2024 at the National Assembly Complex Abuja between the Cross River Reps and Senate Caucuses, Rt. Hon. Ukam decried the low level of birth registrations in the state and inadequate access to population services in certain remote communities due to their difficult terrains, poor or lack of needed facilities, low manpower and other logistical as well as infrastructural concerns.
The NPC Federal Commissioner further drew the Federal Lawmakers’ attention to the importance of demographics and the implication of the State’s low birth registration rate to State planning, identity of children and vital statistics which are often used to determine revenue collection, allocation and access to support from donor agencies which underscore the importance of the visit to drum stakeholders’ support to help improve advocacy and mobilise constituents to embrace the birth registration exercise as this will help ameliorate the situation.
The Cross River State NPC Boss appreciated the warm reception, commitment and proactiveness of the Lawmakers, noting that they have demonstrated their genuine love for Cross River State in prioritising the State`s interest above political sentiments.
In his response the Chairman Cross River State National Assembly Caucus and Senator representing Cross River North, Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe on behalf of his Colleagues at the Red Chambers congratulated Rt. Hon. Ukam on his appointment as the Federal Commissioner representing Cross River in NPC. He reiterated his confidence in the Federal Commissioner giving his impressive resume and wealth of experience, adding that he has no doubt in his ability to deliver and reposition NPC in the State.
In his reaction, Distinguished Senator Eteng Williams Jones, reaffirmed his confidence and support to NPC under the amiable leadership of Rt. Hon. Alex Ukam, commending him for the purposeful disposition, enormous capacity and agility displayed since assumption of office. The Senators assured NPC of their support to meet her mandate in the state.
While receiving the NPC delegation in his office, the Vice Chairman of Cross River State National Assembly Caucus and leader of the Reps Caucus, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba thanked the NPC delegation for deeming it necessary to meet with the Rep Caucus, assuring them of their maximum cooperation and support always. He pleaded to be excused to continue with an unavoidable national assignment he was already engaged and asked Rt. Hon. Dr. Alex Egbona to stand in for him. In his address, Dr. Egbona commended the uncommon efforts of the NPC Federal Commissioner, and appreciated him for the visit and impressive presentation that has further exposed them to the challenges faced by the Commission in the State.
In their separate reactions, Hon. Dr. Emil Inyang, Hon. Barr Ofionor and Hon. Victor Abang also commended the Honourable Federal Commissioner for his proactiveness and resolve to change ugly story of low birth registration and other population services in Cross River State. The Reps caucus equally promised to work together with the NPC to revamp the situation complained for optimal service delivery.
Also at the visit was the NPC State Director, Mr. Stanley Itam, Commission State Secretary Mr. Itam Asuquo and representative of the NPC State Consulting firm.
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