RSG Declares Free Medicare For All Residents

The Rivers State Government, has enjoined all citizens residing in the state to access its free medicare  programme.

State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari made the call during a chat with newsmen on Monday after the inter-governmental forum, decrying that a lot of people did not know that the government had removed the ceilings as everybody was qualified to enjoy the facility.

In her words,” all ages are eligible from zero age to one million.”

She, therefore, urged residents to go to the nearest medical facility to them to get registered, stressing that those who did not register officially would not access the programme.

For one to qualify, she stated that such person must be a resident of the state, show payment of utility and tax bills with two passport photographs.

She added,” we have discovered that people are not maximising the facility and 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”.

Meanwhile, the State Government has removed age and citizenry limitations to its free medicare, saying, all residents of the state can access the facility once the person is a tax payer and has fully registered for the programme.

Said she,” we want to remind our citizens that the state government provides a free medical care and we want them to effectively use this facility. All ages from  zero to one million are eligible”.

Among the things required for one’s to have access to the facility include presentation of ones utility bills, proof regular tax payment and two passport photograph, one’s voters card, adding that one must also be a resident of the state as well.

She therefore called on those who are not aware of the programme to do so quickly,” we  have discovered that people are not maximising the facility and taking advantage of what the government is providing.”

In another development, the Rivers State Government, says it will commence stringent enforcement of the state traffic laws, as it has directed the Traffic Management Authority(TIMA-RIV) to arrest and prosecute any traffic offender, including uniform personnel.

Briefing journalists on the outcome of the State’s inter-governmental meeting Monday in Port Harcourt, Commissioner for Transport, Hon. George Tolofari said the measure had become pertinent to curb the incessant lawlessness observed on the roads in Port Harcourt.

Against this backdrop, he warned that government would wield the big stick on defaulters as multinationals, uniform men and political office holders will not be spared.

“We have categorised them, we have members of the armed forces comprising the Army, Police, Navy and the Airforce. We also have corporate bodies like the multinationals and political office holders,” he declared.

In addition, he disclosed that henceforth government had automatically banned tricycles from plying the two local government areas of Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor as it had equally directed TMARIV to impound any one seen within the precincts of the ban.

The Transport Commissioner emphasised that the state government had not relaxed its ban on motorcycles as the ban was still in force in four local government areas of Obio/Apkor, Port Harcourt, Eleme and Oyigbo.

Responding to whether the matter between the tricycle owners and the government had been decided by the court, Hon Tolofari remarked that the matter had been dismissed, as the state had the powers to enforce the ban.

In a similar vein, the State Government has vowed to go hard on traffic offenders in the state, as it has directed the State Traffic Management Authority(TIMA-RIV) to arrest and prosecute defaulters.

The commissioner stated that the Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi also directed that tricycles (KEKE-NAPEP) operating within the precincts of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor be impounded.

Hon Tolofari who categorised traffic offenders, pointing out that the Government would no longer condone violation of traffic laws by uniform personnel, multinationals and politicians, emphasising that the incessant use of siren had also been outlawed.

Responding, as to whether the court matter between the KEKE-NAPEP owners had been dispensed, Tolofari averred,” the matter has been settled by the court and has been decided in favour of government”, he said

He further reiterated government’s outright ban on motocycles in four local government areas of Oyigbo, Eleme, Obio-Apkor and Port Harcourt stressing that offenders would be arrested.

Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniels (middle) chatting with his lead Counsel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan(SAN) (left) and Mr Tayo Oyetubo, at the Ogun State High Court during the arraignment of the former governor, Wednesday.