The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Cross River State has lamented the inimical activities of Ekpo cultural displays in the Calabar metropolis and other adjoining towns during this Yuletide season.
As Christmas festivities and the annual Calabar carnival heat up, many cultural dances and other displays by troupes and youth groups have heightened.
Such displays especially by Ekpo masquerade groups have tended to harass females and attack onlookers and visiting tourists.
In a communique signed by members, Bassey Aniekan, Ene Asuquo and Julian Obasi and issued at the end of the union’s congress, the NUJ called on the state Commissioner of Police to enforce the ban on certain cultural displays.
The communique read; “Congress decries the menace posed by Ekpo masquerades who go about harassing residents, especially females.
“We call on the Commissioner of Police to enforce the ban on unauthorized displays and parade of masquerades and that of fireworks in the state.”
The union noted that such displays and fireworks were often hijacked by hoodlums, however, the NUJ expressed happiness over the reduction in criminal activities in parts of the state, saying the installation of solar street lights has contributed to the normalcy.
The Chairman of NUJ in the state, Archbong Bassey also called on the government to intensify efforts at lighting up other streets and extend the ongoing road rehabilitation to many other parts of the metropolis.