A Civil Society Organisation, Open Forum, has called on the Akwa Ibom State Government and House of Assembly to urgently review the traditional laws governing burial and marriage rites in the state, citing exorbitant costs that have led to disturbing consequences.

During a press conference held in Uyo on Tuesday, the Executive Director of Open Forum, Matthew Koffi Okono, described the current practices as exploitative, revealing that some families have been forced to abandon the remains of their relatives in morgues for extended periods due to inability to meet financial demands.

"The call was made following the burial of a 71-year-old woman abandoned in the mortuary for seven years due to unbearable burial rites demands," Okono stated, highlighting a particularly troubling case that prompted their advocacy.

According to the organisation, the current economic challenges in Nigeria have worsened the situation, with many families struggling to provide the required seven goats or cows, alongside other items and cash payments, before they can bury their deceased loved ones.

The group also expressed concern about the impact of these costly traditions on young people, noting that prospective grooms are being scared away from completing marriage rites due to financial constraints.

"It is Open Forum's advocacy that the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Supreme Council of Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers and the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly should, as a matter of urgent public importance, set in motion the process for the enactment of the Akwa Ibom State Burial System Law," Okono said.

The proposed legislation would stipulate reasonable and affordable traditional requirements for families across all villages, clans, and local governments in the state.

Open Forum also appealed to religious bodies, including the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, to review their policies regarding burial and marriage practices in Akwa Ibom State.

The organisation pointed out that other states in Nigeria have already enacted new burial and marriage laws, urging Governor Umo Eno's administration to follow suit.

"It will be to the credit of the Umo Eno administration if these patriotic initiatives are adopted and implemented during his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State," the group added.

Additionally, Open Forum highlighted alleged failures in leadership at various levels in the state, claiming that some family heads, village heads, and higher traditional rulers are not meeting expectations in conflict resolution and justice administration, based on complaints received from vulnerable persons.

The group recommended periodic orientation on conflict resolution and leadership principles for all family and village heads and the traditional institution to address these concerns.