By Admin
The Cross River State Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have finalised modalities to provide technical support for the completion, equipping, certification and operation of the state-owned Pharmaceutical Company, CALAPHARM.
Arising from a meeting between the state government representatives and UNIDO Nigeria team during its working visit to the State, sequel to a meeting with Governor Ayade in Abuja where issues of State interest were discussed, the Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong said the discussions among other things centred on how the UN industrial organization will provide technical assistance that will enable CALAPHARM oommence operations.
Asibong assured the Team of the State Government’s readiness to provide the necessary support in their quest to give technical know-how for the state-owned pharmaceutical company.
The Commissioner explained that CALAPHARM is near completion, and when it begins full operations, will contribute to the Federal Government’s policy reliance on locally produced and environmentally-friendly pharmaceutical products in Nigeria.
She seized the opportunity of the visit to make a clarion call on the Federal Government, the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and other Donor organisations to take a cue from UNIDO by lending support to the industrialisation drive of Cross River State Government.
Earlier in her remarks, the UNIDO Team Lead to Cross River, Mrs. Osaretin Jaiyeola, assured the State Government of the provision of the requisite technical assistance needed for the smooth takeoff of CALAPHARM.
She lauded Prof. Ben Ayade’s initiative on the establishment of the CALAPHARM, adding that when it commences full operations would boost the economy of the state through the production of locally made drugs thereby strengthening the local content value-chain in the country.