Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has barred his aides, especially those in the information Cluster from speaking to journalists and issuing press statements.
They have also been warned not to arrogate to themselves the role of official spokespersons to the state government or the governor.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Erasmus Ekpang said the state government has observed with dismay, the flagrant and unauthorized issuance of press releases, statements and granting of interviews on critical policies.
The commissioner noted that some government political appointees and individuals take critical decisions without due authorisation.
“They have arrogated to themselves the role of official spokespersons of the State Government and that of the Governor, His Excellency, Senator Bassey Edet Otu.
”To this end, all government political appointees are by this circular reminded to note that only the Commissioner for Information and the Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser on Media and Publicity are officially mandated to issue any public statement on behalf of the Government of Cross River State in general and His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State in particular.”
The commissioner further cautioned that henceforth, all press releases, press statements or any government official communication must be vetted and approved by himself or the chief press secretary to the governor before being released to the public.
