Posted by From JOE EFFIONG, Uyo, on
Boarding a bus or a taxi in any of the motor parks in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, could be a unique experience henceforth. In fact, it is akin to boarding a flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to New York.
Boarding a bus or a taxi in any of the motor parks in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, could be a unique experience henceforth. In fact, it is akin to boarding a flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to New York.
The new and unique experience is the security consciousness recently adopted by the officers and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to check the growing incidence of armed robbery and probably, kidnapping in the area.
Now, before anybody is allowed to board any vehicle, they would be thoroughly screened for all arms and ammunition or any dangerous weapons as if coming in from Iraq.
The Ikot Ekpene chapter of the NURTW led by its chairman, Obong Clement Udo Akpan, assisted by security operatives and police and the Ikot Ekpene area command of the Nigeria Police, penultimate Monday, launched the security communication gadgets known as Carret, with model No. 1165180.
Presenting the sets of the carret security gadget to the police and State Security Service (SSS) officers for directives on mode of operation, Obong Clement Akpan said his union was highly concerned about the insecurity in the area and as such, it decided to tax itself to provide the gadgets capable of detecting incriminating weapons like guns, ammunition and other dangerous weapons that could be hidden in the passengers' bags or pocket for the purpose of creating problems for the union.
Akpan, who said his union could not do without police assistance which made it request for police presence "to be more legalised," commended the efforts of the state Commissioner of Works and Transport, Mr. Don Etim for making the innovation possible.
Receiving the security gadgets from the NURTW chairman for presentation to the representative of the Area Commander in Ikot Ekpene, the team supervisor general of NURTW, Major Isaac Usese (retd) explained that the union has many disciplined retired army and police officers who would make judicious use of the security implement and thanked the security operatives for responding to the union's call and co-operation .
The area commander, represented by DSP Ezekiel Udo and assisted by Mr Matthew Olawale of the State Security Service, demonstrated the use of the gadget on some passengers at the Ikot Ekpene main motor park. He said the police have approved the use of the security gadgets in the different motor parks in Ikot Ekpene local government area, having received the full support of the state police command.
DSP Udo commended the ingenuity of the NURTW for boldly coming out to assist the police in the area to fight crimes by investing in the security communication gadgets and called on others to emulate the good example.
The DPO in the area, represented by the DCO, Mr. P.A. Eseme said the divisional police has accepted to post two policemen to permanently stay at the motor park to further strengthen the security prowess of the union and advised members of the union to continue to care for the public who pass through the motor parks.
The union members had earlier staged a parade and followed up the presentation and demonstration of the gadget with a solemn assembly which featured open air prayers led by the union chairman and assisted by the only female officer in the union, Miss Helen Asikpo with songs of praise and solidarity.