Alleged Harassment Of Motorists In Calabar, NUJ Demands Investigation

CALABAR, CROSS RIVER – The Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for an investigation into the activities of transport regulatory agencies in the state, accusing them of allegedly harassing motorists and transport operators under the guise of revenue generation.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the union’s congress held on Wednesday at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar, and presided over by the Chairman of Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey.

The Congress expressed concern over what it described as the flagrant violation of government policies by agencies operating within the transport sector, particularly the Cross River State Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) and the Calabar Traffic Regulatory Authority (CTRA).

According to the communiqué, Congress observed that officials and agents of the agencies had allegedly continued to harass motorists and transport operators despite the State Government’s directive that their primary responsibility should be traffic management, regulation, and the maintenance of order on the roads.

“Congress expressed concern that officials and agents of the agencies have allegedly harassed motorists under the guise of revenue generation, contrary to the directive of the State Government that their primary responsibility should be traffic management, regulation, and the maintenance of order on the roads,” the communiqué stated.

The journalists’ body further recalled that the government had expressly directed the agencies to limit their operations to traffic control and related regulatory functions rather than becoming channels for excessive revenue collection and leakages.

Consequently, the Congress urged the relevant authorities to investigate the activities of the agencies and ensure strict compliance with the governor’s directive in the interest of transparency, accountability and public confidence.

Beyond the transport sector concerns, the Congress also appealed to Governor Bassey Edet Otu to fulfil his commitment regarding the Ikom–Wula–Obudu Highway by directing the immediate commencement of remedial work on the road.

The union noted that the deteriorating condition of the highway continues to endanger motorists and commuters while hampering the movement of agricultural produce and other economic activities along the corridor.

The Congress equally called on the Ministry of Environment to adopt proactive measures in addressing environmental challenges across the state, including the prompt removal of fallen trees obstructing roads and the assessment of ageing trees that pose risks to lives and property, particularly within the Calabar metropolis.

It also expressed concern over the continued violation of the government’s ban on scrap metal trading, popularly known as the “iron condemn” business, and urged enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance, especially in Satellite Town and other parts of Calabar where the activities reportedly persist.

While raising concerns over public infrastructure and regulatory compliance, the journalists commended the state government’s ongoing urban renewal programme, particularly the rehabilitation of Azikiwe Street and Ewa Henshaw Street in Calabar South, noting that the roads had remained in poor condition for several years before the current intervention.

The communiqué was signed by members of the Communiqué Drafting Committee: Comrade Sunny Nku, Chairman; Comrade Esin Ukorobi, Member; and Comrade Itam Ekpe, Member.