The Cross River State Government has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Global Fund and the National Product Supply Chain Management Programme (NPSCMP) to transform its State Pharmaceutical Warehouse into a world-class, pharma-grade facility.
The upgrade is aimed at strengthening the state’s medical supply chain system to meet international standards for storage, safety, and security. With the planned modernization, Cross River is positioning itself as a leading reference point for efficient healthcare logistics in Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ebge Ayuk, described the development as a significant achievement of the state government’s policy of fostering productive global partnerships. He noted that the administration has intentionally created an enabling environment that continues to attract development partners into the state.
According to him, Governor-led reforms have made Cross River increasingly attractive to international collaborators, resulting in a steady rise in strategic interventions across the health sector.
Dr. Ayuk further stressed the importance of designing the upgraded facility to accommodate emerging healthcare technologies, particularly drone-based drug distribution. He explained that government policy prioritizes ownership and integration of innovative systems, adding that future-ready infrastructure must support unmanned aerial logistics operations.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Nursing Education, Mrs. Uduak Spencer Efem, assured partners of the state’s administrative support and security guarantees. She said the government maintains an open-door approach, ensuring unrestricted access and operational safety for all collaborators.
Mrs. Efem expressed optimism that contractors would soon mobilize to the project site, describing the intervention as a direct outcome of the state’s transparency and readiness to work with international bodies.
The Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Pharm. (Dr.) Ezong Ezong, explained that upgrading the warehouse to pharma-grade standard is essential for maintaining eligibility for international health grants and ensuring continued confidence from donor agencies.
He noted that while several states operate pharmaceutical warehouses, only a few meet the strict compliance benchmarks required by global organizations. The upgrade, he said, guarantees that medical commodities can be stored under optimal and internationally accepted conditions.
Providing further technical insight, NPSCMP Consultant Architect, Architect Bolaji, disclosed that Cross River was selected for priority consideration due to its proactive leadership, despite funding constraints affecting similar projects nationwide.
He revealed that the renovated facility would span the entire Barracks Road corridor and incorporate dedicated infrastructure for drone operations. The project timeline anticipates contractor mobilization within the next two months.
The engagement meeting was attended by the Director of Administration, Mrs. Vanessa Emon, senior pharmacists from the Ministry of Health and the State Medical Stores, as well as Youth Corps members serving in the department