The Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Udom Emmanuel, has barred his commissioners, special advisers, members of boards and commissions, special assistants and other personal aides from granting press interviews without permission from him.

Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Ekuwem, said in a statement on Wednesday that the Commissioner for Information and Strategy and the Chief Press Secretary were exempted.

Mr Ekuwem said the directive was to take immediate effect and that it was to ensure proper management of information in the state.

“The Akwa Ibom State Government has directed that all government functionaries, including Commissioners, Special Advisers, Members of Boards and Commissions, Special Assistants and other Personal Aides of the Governor, should henceforth desist from granting press interviews without the permission of Gov. Mr Udom Emmanuel.

“The Commissioner for Information and Strategy as well as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor are exempted from this directive.

“They will continue to carry out their functions accordingly as the spokespersons to the State Government and the Governor respectively,” he said.