Apparently worried by the recent threats of attacks issued by suspected Fulani Jihadists, the Delta State chapter of the union has called on the state government and security agencies to beef up security in public places, especially schools, police facilities and media houses.
The Union thereby advised residents to be security conscious, inview of the way and manner public places have become soft targets of such attacks in the state and other parts of the country.
The union’s position is contained in a communique issued at the end of the Congress held yesterday, 24th June 2021, in Asaba, the state capital.
The communique jointly signed by Comrade Michael Ikeogwu- NUJ Chairman, Comrade Patrick Ochei- NUJ Secretary and members of the communique drafting committee,led byComrade Paul Osuyi- Chairman, Comrade Sunday Apah- Secretary and Comrade Andy Emephia- Member indicates that the Congress was held at the Temporary Secretariat, deliberated on issues affecting the general wellbeing of the state and resolved as follows:
“1. INSECURITY: In view of the recent threats of attacks issued by suspected Fulani Jihadists, the union called on the state government and security agencies to beef up security in public places, especially schools, police facilities and media houses, which have become soft targets for such attacks in the state and other parts of the country. The union thereby advised residents to be security conscious.
2. FLOOD: The union called on the Delta State Government to construct permanent Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps at strategic locations to take care of people sacked from their homes annually by flood, especially parts of Oshimili South, Aniocha South, Ndokwa federal constituency, Isoko, Ughelli, Warri, Ewu, Okwagbe and other riverine communities.
3. NEWLY CREATED UNIVERSITIES: The union frowned at the proposed Public Private Partnership (PPP) being recommended by the Prof. Patrick Muoboghare-led management committee for the running of the newly created universities, as this would discourage easy access to university education by qualified indigent Deltans, thereby defeating the main purpose of establishing the universities in Anwai, Agbor and Ozoro. Also, adopting a PPP model might lead to job loss for existing academic and non-academic staff, thereby increasing the alarming rate of unemployment in the state.
4. HEALTH: The Congress condemned the unprofessional conduct of health workers particularly nurses and doctors towards patients in public hospitals across the state. A situation where doctors and nurses are hostile in attending to patients, and engage in sharp practices in various pharmacies/dispensaries within the hospitals. It therefore called on the state government to beam its search light on the hospitals with a view to putting an end to these sharp practices.
5. CULTISM: The union expressed worries over the rising wave of cultism particularly in secondary schools across the state. It also noted with disdain the attitude of some teachers who encourage the sales of hard drugs in secondary schools which gives impetus for CULTISM to thrive in the society. The union therefore advised parents and guardians to monitor their children and wards.
6. UNCOMPLETED PROJECTS: Congress while commending the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration for the ongoing construction of the NUJ Press Centre and the recent commissioning of people oriented projects across the state, drew the attention of the government to the litany of uncompleted projects such as Ayakoromo Bridge project, Omadino-Ughoton-Adagbrasa road project amongst others. It therefore, appealed for speedy completion of uncompleted projects across the state to enable him finish strong. It also called on the government to deploy DESTMA officials to PTI junction, Jakpa junction and Effurun roundabout all in Warri and Uvwie to ease traffic gridlock.
7. STATE MEDIA HOUSES: The Congress also called on the state government to upgrade facilities at the state owned media houses (DBS, Asaba; DBS, Warri; and Pointer Newspapers) with a view to improving on their quality of services in line with acceptable international standards”.
Nasarawa Reporters 