The Nigeria Union of Journalists Abia State Chapter, has commended the State Government under the leadership of Dr. Alex Otti, for the ongoing rehabilitation and palliative works on several roads and streets across the state, especially within Aba and Umuahia.
In a communique signed by the Acting Chairman, Comrade Chidi Asonye and Secretary, Comrade Iyke Onwuegbu, after its monthly meeting held at NUJ Press Center, 66 Aba road Umuahia, the Congress called for encouragement of the contractors handling all sections of the Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia road project to expedite action on the road, especially the Alayi-Abiriba axis which has since been scrapped and left with chain gallops, for smooth travels during the forthcoming festivities.
The Congress also urged the State Government to put pressure on the federal governments to expedite action on the reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road with specific attention on the various bad spots and that the state government intervene by doing palliative works on the road, while waiting for the Federal Government.
The Union noted with sadness and concern, the seeming upsurge in crime rates and other social vices in the state, especially within the urban areas of Umuahia and Aba, and pleaded with the state government to intensify its collaborative approach with security agencies to beef up security in the state, especially in view of the forthcoming Yuletide.
The Council also observed with delight, the appreciable number of streets and areas lighted up under the Light Up Abia Initiative of the state government and commended the Dr. Otti-led administration for its light up agenda which has contributed immensely in checking criminal activities in areas already covered and appealed that the Light Up Initiative be extended to other parts of the state in view of the benefits.
The Congress expressed its appreciation to the government for its commitment and determined efforts in returning to payment of full pensions of retirees, and appealed to Governor Otti, to heed to the recent outcry of the Senior Citizens and revisit the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) it signed with the leadership of Abia State Council of Nigeria Union of Pensioners over pension and gratuity arrears.
It also urged the state government to, without delay, look into the plight of other retirees and disengaged public and civil servants across the state with the view of paying them their benefits.
In view of recent cases of fire outbreaks in the state and the fast approaching dry season, the Congress called on the state government to urgently equip the Fire Service with the necessary firefighting machines, and manpower to meet the demands of the time while urging members of the public to be extra cautious of their handling of inflammable materials, electrical appliances and others things prone to fire to avoid losing life and property to any fire outbreaks.
The Congress equally reiterated it sympathy to the staff and management of Enyimba FM, Abia whose station was completely razed down recently, and noted with great concern, the prevailing hardship in the country; and advised people against jungle justice and taking laws into their hands, no matter the level of provocation.
The Union congratulated the newly-elected Mayors of the seventeen Local Government Areas in the state on their inauguration and urged them to hit the ground running by embarking on execution of landmark, developmental projects that would bring about sustainable economic growth to make life meaningful and check crimes at the grassroots; and as well, halt rural-urban migration.
It assured the new grassroot administrators of the support and partnership of the state Council to effectively discharge their duties by promoting their achievements and equally hold them accountable at all times in line with constitutional mandate of Journalists.
The Congress- In-Session adopted the outgoing State Council Chairman, Comrade Victor Ndukwe, vying for the position of the National Treasurer of the NUJ, as well as other candidates of the A+A Campaign team comprising Comrade Alhassan Yahya (for President) and Dr Mrs Abimbola Oyetunde (for Deputy National President) as their preferred candidates in the forthcoming 8th National Triennial Delegates Conference of the Union scheduled to hold in Owerri, Imo State.
