By Austin Ogwuda
MEMBERS of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council have called on the Delta State government to urgently upgrade and possibly expand its Independent Power Plants in the State to save the people of the State from epileptic power supply from the national grid.
The call was contained in a communique raised at its Congress held on Thursday in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, which remarkably, had the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza in attendance with retinue of Media Aides to the governor.
The Communique reads:
*Congress appreciates the presence of the State Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Lucky Omokri and some media aides of the Governor. Congress especially considers the visit of the Commissioner heart-warming, given his assurances of improving the welfare of media practitioners in the state and the need to reposition state-owned media organisations for better performance.
Congress also appreciates Dr Osuoza for promising to talk to his colleagues on the need to be friendly to Journalists and respond to enquiries concerning their Ministries. Congress notes the Commissioner’s call for the continued support of Journalists, whom he maintained should endeavour to be professional in their reportage and pledges robust partnership with the state government.
*The issue of insecurity was extensively discussed and Congress expresses concern about the high rate of kidnapping, rape and killing of innocent and defenceless citizens on a daily basis. As a solution, Congress supports the idea of state police and calls on the relevant authorities to give it a speedy consideration and implementation.
*On the high cost of living and hunger in the country occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government, the low exchange rate of the naira and the associated hyper inflation, Congress calls for reasonable palliatives from government, good-spirited individuals and organisations to cushion the effects.
Congress recommends that regulatory bodies should closely monitor the free fall of the naira, as well as the activities of fuel retail outlets and food vendors in the state in order to reduce the sufferings of Nigerians.
*Congress frowns at the epileptic public power supply, which has impacted negatively on the socioeconomic life of Nigerians, especially people of Delta state and calls on the agencies charged with the generation of electricity to find a lasting solution to the menace so that enough energy could be available for transmission and distribution to the people.
Congress urges the Delta State Government to upgrade and expand its Independent Power Plants to be able to supply interrupted electricity across the state.
Comrade Churchill Oyowe,
Chairman, NUJ Delta Council
Comrade Victor Sorokwu,
Secretary, NUJ Delta Council
Austin Ogwuda
CHAIRMAN, COMMUNIQUÉ DRAFTING COMMITTEE
Fred Odu
SECRETARY
Omon-Julius Onabu
MEMBER
Anastasia Eluwa
MEMBER
