The Association of Nigerian Authors [ANA], Rivers State University chapter, has called for dialogue between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff of Universities (ASUU) with a view to resolving the current impasse in the education sector.
This was contained in a communique made available to newsmen at the end of the association’s maiden international conference on creative writing with the theme celebrating Elechi Amadi in Port Harcourt.
The communique jointly signed by chairman of the association, Chief Adi Wali; chairman, Local Organising Committee, Anaeke Ihuoma, and Head of Department, English and Literature Studies, Rivers State University, Dr. Ndubuisi Ogbuaga, also demanded the democratisation of education in the country through the implementation of policies such as the abolition of prohibitive examination fees for West African Examination Council [WAEC], Joint Admission and Matriculation Board [JAMB] and UTME examinations.
It also called for a review of policies that impact the book industry and demanded for tap and other incentives for the local production of newsprint/printing paper as well as tariff waiver for the importation of some pending production that satisfies local demand.
The conference noted with sadness the Federal Government’s insensitivity to the problem of book production and distribution in Nigeria, as amplified by the prohibition cost of moving books from one location to another.
‘’We, therefore, urge the government to support the efforts of Nigerian writers to distribute their works through instituting supportive tariff regime for book distribution.
‘’We do not see the federal post office system charge the same amount for a kilo of books and a kilo of say cigarettes being moved from Lagos to Abuja, especially for a country that wants to promote reading culture.’’ he said.

By: Oreoluwa Adigun