NUJ Decries Deplorable Condition Of 3 Benue-owned Media Outfits

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, has decried the deplorable condition of state-owned media outfits, including Radio Benue, The Voice Newspaper, and Benue Television.

NUJ, therefore, urged the state government to take urgent and decisive steps to renovate, reposition and restructure the establishments to meet modern professional standards.

The union expressed concern over the delay in the implementation of weigh-in allowance for some staff of media organisations, the non-issuance of Personal Subhead Numbers (PSN) to staff of The Voice Newspaper, and the shortfall in the implementation of the minimum wage for workers in some media organisations.

The congress, presided over by the chairman of the council, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, mandated the State Working Committee (SWC) of the NUJ to work with their RATTAWU counterparts to interface with the head of service with a view to ensuring the prompt implementation of the weigh-in allowance and the resolution of other outstanding issues affecting media workers in the state.

Rising from its congress held at its secretariat in Makurdi, NUJ decried the persistent poor power supply within Makurdi metropolis.

NUJ called on the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) to significantly improve electricity supply to alleviate the hardship faced by residents in the state, especially in Makurdi.

The congress urged politicians to refrain from heating up the polity through toxic utterances and inflammatory statements, but instead conduct their campaigns with decorum, civility, and a strong sense of responsibility.

The union commended the efforts of the state government in curbing insecurity, particularly the successful rescue of 13 persons, including candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) who were traveling to Otukpo to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

In a communiqué signed by the Drafting Committee chairman, Abraham Ochife,

secretary, Faith Igbudu, and member, Uche Nnorom and released at the weekend, the NUJ also supported the call by Governor Hyacinth Alia for JAMB to make adequate provision for the affected candidates to retake the examination.

The communique observed with grave concern incessant attacks and killings of farmers, across several communities in local government areas such as Gwer West, Guma, Apa, and Agatu, noting that such incidences have significantly hindered farmers from accessing their farmlands.

The Congress however urged security agencies to intensify surveillance, apprehend the perpetrators, and put a decisive end to these heinous acts, particularly as the rainy season has commenced.