Journalists task Gov Otu to address insecurity headlong

Journalists in Cross River State have called on the state governor, Prince Bassey Otu to focus more on the issue of security of lives and property.

Their call was contained in a communique, signed by Ubon Ekanem and two others, and released at the end of their meeting yesterday at their Secretariat in Calabar.

Commending the governor for the feats he has made in one year, they drew his attention to the resurgence of criminal activities in some parts of the state.

They pinpointed the security concerns raised by residents of Idim Ita and Itonde communities in Calabar South Local Government of the state.

The NUJ urged security agencies in the state to step up regular patrols in view of the incessant cases of kidnapping, rape and robbery reported in many communities.

The journalists also drew the attention of the state government to the plight of the people of Okoyong community in Odukpani Local Government where for more than 5 years, there has been a blackout.

According to residents of Okoyong community, the absence of electricity supply has led to an increase in the crime rate in the area.

They decried the current economic hardship that has resulted in skyrocketing prices of basic food items, appealing to the state government to explore measures such as a price control mechanism to cushion the effect of the high cost of basic food items in the state.