Declare State Of Emergency On Roads, NUJ Urges FG

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on roads to forestall further waste of precious man-hours, and check avoidable carnage on the country’s highways.

The call was made as part of an 11-point communique raised at the end of the union’s 3rd 2016 Quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Owerri, Imo State last Friday.

Leaders of journalists across Nigeria unanimously expressed the need for the state of emergency on roads following the state of dilapidation of major roads in the country, which has not only affected the economic lives of various segments of the country, but has also caused the death of numerous lives either through auto accidents or armed robberies.

The NEC-in-session also called on leaders of the Niger Delta region to prevail on their youth to desist from further destruction of national assets.

While recognising the role the region plays in national development, the leadership of the NUJ called on the Federal Government to give adequate attention to the legitimate developmental needs of the oil-producing areas.

The communique also stated the need for a more robust response from all stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), development partners and other donor agencies in rebuilding and reintegrating victims of insurgency.

This, among others, will discourage those who have moved to their communities from returning to the IDP camps.

Towards ending insurgency in the country, the highest decision-making body of the NUJ urged the Federal Government to enlist the support of community leaders across the nation in finding lasting solutions, particularly to the crisis in the North-East.

Acknowledging the importance of contributions from all and sundry in the fight against any form of insecurity, the journalists stated the need for Nigerians to support the Armed Forces in their effort at containing insecurity in the country.

Given the importance of the media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, NEC emphasised the need for governments at all levels to improve relationship with journalists covering their activities, especially in ensuring access to information at all times.

Beyond these, the communique also called for an upward review of the present minimum wage of N18,000, which it said, “is no longer in tandem with the prevailing economic realities in the country”.

The judicial system in the country, it continued, “should be strengthened to end impunity with regards to crimes against journalists”.

It further encouraged state governments “to continue to support and assist the NUJ in its activities, while specifically thanking the Imo State Government and Governor Rochas Okorocha for facilitating the hosting of the NEC meeting in Owerri”.

NEC further expressed appreciation to the Imo State Council of the union and the Zone C, “for a good organisation of the NEC”.

Soibi Max-Alalibo