Similarly, members who are yet to register were advised to do so and not wait for rush hours usually associated with such exercise in the past. This was contained in the Union’s eight-point communiqué, issued and signed by its Chairman, Amos Etuk and Secretary, Dominic Akpan,  at the end of its January congress, held in Uyo, yesterday.

“Members are encouraged to register for their NIN and mobilise Akwa Ibom people through their media organisations to take advantage of the exercise, so that they will not be disconnected by network providers at the end of the deadline set by the Federal Government for registration,” it said.

The union further called on members to ensure they abide by COVID-19 guidelines, as stipulated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The union advised government to intensify its awareness campaigns on the virus.

“The state government should take every necessary step, including a collaboration with the National Boundary Commission (NBC), to proffer a lasting solution to the incessant boundary clashes between some communities in Akwa Ibom and their neighbours in Abia State, which have claimed many lives.

“Congress commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Effiong Akwa as Interim Sole Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and called for support from all stakeholders.

“Similarly, Congress expressed solidarity with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio (CON) for his efforts at repositioning the NDDC, and appealed to interested parties in the region to allow peace to reign,” the union said.