Desmond Iwuchukwu
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the neglect and non-completion of major roads in the South-South including the East-West Road, and other major roads in the region including the Calabar-Itu Highway, Benin – Sapele Road, Benin -Lokoja Road.
The NUJ in an eight-point communiqué issued at the end of its Zone F meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State tasked the Federal Government to take action on these roads as it has done in other Zones.
The NUJ in the communiqué issued by the Chairman, Communiqué Drafting Committee Comrade Dominic Akpan also encouraged State Governors in the South-South Zone to work closely with the in-coming Federal Government to complete the roads.
The communiqué further 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.
The NUJ during the meeting condemned the demolition of the property of Bayelsa State Government by the Government of Rivers State in Port – Harcourt, stating that the action will have far-reaching implications on the relationship between the people of both states.
The statement further condemned the alleged power tussle in the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC Board describing the development as shameless.
The NUJ said the dispute is capable of truncating the mandate of the interventionist agency and 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.
The meeting requested the incoming administration in Rivers State to demonstrate responsible leadership by addressing the issue in the interest of brotherhood, good conscience, unity, and peace.
The meeting encouraged members to uphold the standards of the journalism profession at all times so that it will not lose public confidence, especially in the face of new media and fake news.
