The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council has expressed worry over the rising influx of people into Eket Local Government Area, especially those involved in commercial motorcycle transportation, scrap metal trade and scavenging.
The union coming out of Thursday’s June congress urged the local authorities and security agencies to ensure proper profiling and monitoring of persons and activities in the area for the purpose of public safety and security.
Also, in a communique signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the NUJ council, Comrade Nsibiet John and Nsikak Esenowo, the union charged regulatory agencies including the Nigerian Immigration Service to beef up monitoring and verification processes to ensure compliance with extant laws and regulations.
The union said while it recognised the constitutional rights of citizens to live and work anywhere in the country, the recent development had more to worry about.
“Congress expressed concern over the increasing influx of persons into Eket Local Government Area especially those engaged in commercial motorcycle transportation, trading of scrap metals and scavenging activities,” the communique partly read.
The Congress also expressed concern about the overcrowding of custodial facilities especially the large number of awaiting trial inmates at the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre.
It called on the judiciary and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system to speed up the trial of pending cases to decongest custodial centres and ensure effective administration of justice.
On environmental sanitation and public health, Congress urged the Eket Local Government Council and relevant environmental agencies to regulate open processing of cow skin and related activities in the area, adding that the practice amounts to environmental, public health and sanitation concerns for the communities affected.
The Congress also condemned the recent harassment of journalists while performing their lawful duties inside court premises and reiterated that journalists should be allowed to perform their constitutional role without any intimidation, obstruction or undue interference.
It urged the relevant authorities to safeguard press freedom and media practitioners at all times.
