COVID-19: NUJ decries mismanagement of information in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has decried the manner of information management in the state as it battles the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

Chairman and Secretary of the NUJ, Akwa Ibom chapter, Comrades Amos Etuk and Dominic Akpan in a joint statement on Sunday described the manner with which facts and figures about COVID-19 fight in the state are being disseminated as ‘soup-pot’ information management.

According to the NUJ, the intention to embark on massive testing of the people was commendable, but the statement issued by the state government regarding the development lacked details, depth and consistency.

The statement by the NUJ reads, “The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council is concerned by the persistent information mismanagement by those charged with the responsibility to update Akwa Ibom people on the coronavirus pandemic, popularly known as COVID- 19.

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“While Gov. Udom Emmanuel is doing everything to ensure the safety of Akwa Ibom people, the manner of presentation of his efforts to the public by the COVID-19 information managers calls for concern as major stakeholders in the sector are often not taken into consideration in such events.

“While the intention to embark on massive testing of the people is commendable, we are quick to point out that the statement is lacking in details, depth and consistency.

“The following questions beg for answers. When is the massive testing exercise commencing?, Is there any NCDC approved laboratory in Akwa Ibom?; If the answer to question 2, is yes; where is the laboratory located? ”

“Are Akwa Ibom people going to be tested in their houses? How long will the exercise last? Is it possible for the testing team to cover the 31 local government areas in a few days, before the lifting of the ban on the economy?

“Has Akwa Ibom State government received test kits from the Federal Government, groups or individuals; if the answer is yes, what is the quantity?

The Council condemned the sidelining of practicing Journalists in the state on government activities regarding the Coronavirus only to issue a press statement later and circulate to media houses.

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