By Frank Ulom
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, has appealed to Governor Bassey Otu to fulfil his commitment on the rehabilitation of the Ikom–Wula–Obudu Highway, warning that the worsening condition of the road poses serious risks to motorists and undermines economic activities along the corridor.
The appeal formed part of the resolutions reached at the end of the NUJ Congress held on June 3, 2026, at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre in Calabar and presided over by the Chairman of Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, Congress urged the governor to direct the appropriate authorities to commence immediate remedial work on the highway.
According to the communiqué, the road’s deteriorating condition continues to endanger the lives of commuters and motorists while hampering the movement of agricultural produce and other commercial activities in communities along the route.
Congress also commended the Cross River State Government for its ongoing urban renewal programme, particularly the rehabilitation of Azikiwe Street and Ewa Henshaw Street in Calabar South.
The journalists noted that the roads had remained in poor condition for several years due to prolonged neglect by previous administrations and expressed satisfaction with the government’s intervention aimed at improving infrastructure and easing movement within the area.
On environmental issues, Congress called on the state government, through the Ministry of Environment, to adopt more proactive measures in tackling environmental challenges across the state.
The union specifically urged the ministry to ensure the prompt removal of fallen trees obstructing roads and to conduct a comprehensive assessment of ageing and weakened trees, especially within the Calabar metropolis, to prevent threats to lives and property.
Congress further expressed concern over the continued violation of the state’s ban on scrap metal trading, popularly known as the “iron condemn” business.
The journalists called on relevant enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance with the directive, particularly in Satellite Town and other parts of Calabar, where the illegal activities were reportedly still ongoing.
The Congress also frowned at what it described as the excesses of transport regulatory agencies, particularly the Cross River State Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) and the Calabar Traffic Regulatory Authority (CTRA).
It alleged that officials and agents of the agencies had continued to harass motorists and transport operators under the guise of revenue generation, contrary to the state government’s directive that their primary responsibility should be traffic management and road regulation.
Congress recalled that the government had directed the agencies to focus on traffic control and related regulatory functions rather than excessive revenue collection.
It, therefore, called on the relevant authorities to investigate the activities of the agencies and ensure compliance with the governor’s directive in the interest of transparency, accountability and public confidence.
During the meeting, Congress also received the State of the Union address presented by the Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey.
The chairman informed members that decent accommodation had been secured for Mr Enyia Ndem of the Correspondents’ Chapel through the collaborative efforts of the Commissioner for Information, the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the NUJ Cross River State Council and the Correspondents’ Chapel.
She further disclosed that the council leadership had leveraged the alternative energy facility installed at the secretariat to provide regular illumination of the premises, thereby improving the working environment for members.
Bassey thanked journalists for their continued cooperation, commitment and support for the activities of the council, while commending members for maintaining regular attendance at meetings despite their demanding professional schedules.
The communiqué was drafted by a committee comprising Comrade Sunny Nku as chairman, with Comrades Esien Ukorebi and Itam Ekpe serving as members.
