The South-South Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone F, has urged the Federal Government to adequately fund the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to enable it to deliver on its mandate.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its zonal executive council meeting held on Friday at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The council also asked the Federal Government to fix critical infrastructure in the region, including operationalisation of seaports in the South-South, completion of the East-West Road and construction of the proposed Coastal Highway to ease living conditions and boost revenue of states in the zone.
It expressed concern over the deplorable state of federal roads linking Edo State and called for urgent intervention.
On environment, the council expressed worry over degradation, climate change and recurring flooding in the South-South. It urged the Federal Government to implement recommendations of clean-up reports, tackle pollution, release ecological funds and provide relief materials to affected communities, while advising state governments to adopt proactive measures to mitigate climate change.
It also urged the Federal Government to strengthen regulation of food production companies to ensure compliance with health and safety standards, and encouraged journalists to embrace healthy living through regular medical check-ups.
The council appreciated the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, for his support and commended leadership of state councils in the zone for promoting excellence in journalism. It urged state councils to comply with the letter and spirit of the union’s constitution.
It commended governors in the South-South for developmental projects, applauding the Edo State Government for its zero tolerance for cultism and kidnapping which has reduced crime.
It praised Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom for completing the Victor Attah International Airport and commencing direct flights from Uyo to Ghana, and for the health insurance scheme that has made journalists beneficiaries.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom Command, Baba Mohammed Azare, was commended for cordial relationship with journalists and promotion of press freedom. Other police commands in the zone were urged to emulate him.
The council also lauded Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State for the nine-storey Civil Servants Secretariat, road projects, the ongoing 30,000-capacity stadium at Igbogene, improved power supply through gas turbines and remodelling of the House of Assembly Complex, and called on the contractor handling the stadium to ensure timely delivery.
It expressed delight over remodelling and renovation of facilities at the Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa councils and urged other councils to emulate them.
The communiqué was signed by Comrade Nsibiet John, Chairman, NUJ Akwa Ibom and Chairman, Drafting Committee; Comrade Aqua Douye Akpuruku, Acting Secretary, NUJ Bayelsa and Secretary of the Committee; Comrade Angese John, Zonal Secretary, Zone F and Comrade Opaka Dokubo, Vice President, Zone F.
