NUJ Zone F Condemns Poor State, Neglect of South South Roads

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone F, has condemned the neglect and non-completion of major roads in the South – South states, especially the East/West, Calabar/Itu Highway, Benin/Sapale Road and Benin/Lokoja Road and called on the Federal Government to take immediate action on the roads, as it has done in other zones of the country.
The media body which, made call in a communique issued at the end of its zonal meeting held at the Press Centre, Uyo, AkwaIbom State, also urged state governors in the South – South to work closely with the in-coming federal administration to ensure completion of the roads stating, “The goose that lays the golden egg should have a comfortable nest”.
The meeting, which had 14 leaders in attendance, including the NUJ national president, Chief Chris Isiguzo, discussed extensively on issues affecting both the NUJ and the South South, including the demolition of a property belonging to Bayelsa State by the Rivers State government.
Part of the communique issued at the end of the meeting read:
“While condemning the demolition of the property of Bayelsa State Government by the Government of Rivers State in Port – Harcourt, an action which, has far-reaching implications on the relationship between the people of both states, the meeting requested the in-coming administration in Rivers State to demonstrate responsible leadership by addressing the issue in the interest of brotherhood, good conscience, unity and peace.
“The meeting noted the mindless neglect and non-completion of major roads in the South – South states, particularly, East/West, Calabar/Itu Highway, Benin/ Sapale Road, Benin/Lokoja Road and called on the Federal Government to take action on these roads as it has done in other zones.
“It also encouraged state governors in the South – South Zone to work closely with the in-coming Federal Government to complete the roads as “The goose that lays the golden egg should have a comfortable nest.”
The Zone F NUJ described the power tussle between the NDDC leadership as shameless, and capable of truncating the mandate of the interventionist agency. It called on the Board members to stop the ego war and work to deliver on the Commission’s mandate to the people of the Zone.
It also called on the six governors in the zone to evolve strategies to resuscitate the BRACED Commission to serve the purpose of peer review and development coordination in the zone.
It decried the resurgence of kidnapping and other criminal activities in some parts of Rivers State after the 2023 general elections, as these incidents have claimed the lives of some citizens and led to the destruction of properties and called on the Rivers State government and security agencies to beef up security in the state to address the drift.
The meeting noted with satisfaction, the support of some governors in the zone to the NUJ in their respective states.
In particular, the meeting commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for being a strong pillar of support to Akwa Ibom State Council; Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri for appointing journalists into positions of trust and for equipping the Ernest Ikoli Media Complex with state-of-the-art equipment, including digital facilities for Radio Bayelsa and the Niger Delta Television; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State for appointing a member of the Delta State Council a permanent secretary among other numerous supports.
It also commended the Edo State government for paying the state civil servants N40,000 minimum wage and urged other state governments in the zone to emulate the worthy example of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The body encouraged members to uphold the standards of the journalism profession at all times to avoid loss of public confidence, especially in the face of new media and fake news.
The states in Zone F of the Nigeria Union of Journalists are Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo and Rivers State.”