The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River State has formally requested that Governor Bassey Otu settle the long-standing gratuity payments owed to retired civil servants. While the administration previously allocated ten billion naira in 2023 to address these debts, the funds were not enough to resolve the entire backlog that has accumulated over the years.
During the July 2026 Congress, the state council highlighted the financial vulnerability of many retirees who rely on these funds for their basic needs. They urged the governor to maintain momentum in releasing further capital to clear the remaining obligations. The council chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey, led these discussions during the meeting.
Additionally, the union raised alarms regarding dangerous driving habits among commercial dispatch riders throughout the region. Noting that this behavior has frequently led to traffic accidents, the NUJ called upon the Federal Road Safety Corps and the State Traffic Management Agency to enforce stricter road safety compliance among riders to prevent further incidents.
