The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, has expressed outrage over what it described as widespread extortion of motorists by alleged agents of the state government operating in the transport sector.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its October Congress, journalists in the state decried the growing cases of illegal financial demands imposed on drivers, particularly for traffic light and seatbelt violations. The communiqué, signed by a two-member committee led by Tony Etim, revealed that while the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officially charges N5,000 for traffic light violations, government agents reportedly demand as much as N31,000.
The Union further noted that seatbelt infractions, which attract a statutory penalty of N2,000 by FRSC, are being penalized by these agents to the tune of N21,000. The payments, according to the NUJ, are collected in cash without receipts or records of remittance to government accounts.
Meanwhile, the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA), the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMMA), and the State Ministry of Transport have all denied responsibility, stating that such agents do not operate under their control.
The congress also raised alarm over a renewed surge in scavenger activities across the state and urged the relevant authorities to monitor their operations closely to maintain public order and safety.
Another major concern highlighted by the NUJ was the persistent delay in the payment of salaries to local government workers. The congress noted that as of October 22, staff were yet to receive their September salaries. It called on the state government to address the issue urgently to alleviate the hardship faced by workers.
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The union also appealed to the government to intervene in the ongoing strike by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), stressing that Cross River remains the only state in the South-South yet to implement the Consolidated Assembly Staff Salary Scale (CONPASS).
On electricity supply, the congress expressed concern over frequent disputes between consumers and the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) over estimated billings. It urged the state government to engage the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to ensure the provision of prepaid meters to consumers to reduce conflicts and promote transparency in billing.
While commending the state government for its ongoing efforts to remodel public facilities and reform the education sector, including the closure of illegal schools, the NUJ appealed for the provision of potable water and sanitary facilities in public schools to curb open defecation among pupils.
The congress further called attention to the worsening condition of roads within Calabar metropolis, describing the proliferation of potholes as alarming. It urged the government to take immediate steps to rehabilitate the city’s major streets to restore the capital’s aesthetic and functional value.
