Rivers State declares free medicare for residents

PORT HARCOURT — The Rivers State Government has declared free medical care for its residents, irrespective of their age, sex or state of origin.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Ibim Semenitari told the newsmen in Port Harcourt, that it was regrettable that many people were not aware of the free medical care, adding that government had removed the ceiling in the ages and place of origin which had earlier disqualified some people from benefitting from the scheme.

However, to qualify for the scheme now, the individual must be a resident of the state, show evidence of payment of utility and tax bills as well as his/her voters’ card.

Residents must also register officially at the nearest medical facility as a pre-condition to be attended to.

“We have discovered that people are not taking advantage of the opportunity that the government is providing. So we are reminding the citizens that government is providing free medical care for them.

’’We want to remind our citizens that the state government provides a free medical care and we want everybody to use the facilities effectively,” he said.

In another development, the state Traffic Management Authority, TIMA-RIV, has been mandated by the state government to impound tricycles plying the two local governments areas of Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor.

Transport Commissioner Mr. George Tolofari told reporters in Port Harcourt that commercial motorcycles had been banned in Eleme, Oyigbo, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Council areas. Further to this, the authority said it would now arrest offending members of the armed forces and police.

’’We shall also arrest corporate bodies, multinationals and political office holders who contravene traffic rules” Tolofari said.

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By GEORGE ONAH