Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has deplored the ongoing face-off between the government of Rivers State and Bayelsa State.
It warned that the row, which has led to the demolition of the Bayelsa State government property in Rivers, would have far-reaching implications, if allowed to degenerate beyond immediate ceasefire by the key actors.
This and other issues dominated the just concluded South-South zonal meeting held at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State at the weekend.
The meeting presided over by the national president, Chief Chris Isiguzo, South-South zonal vice president, Opaka Dokubo, and other leaders, noted with concern, the frosty relationship between the two sister states, describing Governor Nyesom Wike’s demolition order on Bayelsa government property in his domain, as hasty decision with negative multiplier effects.
Besides, the communique at the end of the summit decried the deplorable roads across the South -South including the Calabar-Itu Highway, East-West Road, Benin – Sapele Road and Benin – Lokoja highway, and called on the incoming governors of the region to work closely with President-elect Bola Tinubu, towards fixing the roads.
The communique: “The union condemns the demolition of the property of Bayelsa State government by the government of Rivers State in Port – Harcourt, an action which has far-reaching implications on the relationship between the people of both states. Therefore, the union requests the in-coming administration in Rivers State to demonstrate responsible leadership by addressing the issue in the interest of brotherhood, good conscience, unity and peace.
“Also, the union having taken note of the mindless neglect and non-completion of major roads in the South – South States, particularly, East-West, Calabar-Itu Highway, Benin-Sapele Road, Benin -Lokoja Road, and called on the federal government to take action on these roads as it has done in other Zones. We also encouraged state governors in the South – South Zone to work closely with the in-coming Federal Government to complete the roads as the goose that lays the golden egg should have a comfortable nest.”
Similarly, the communique lauded the Edo State government for paying civil servants in the state N40, 000.00 minimum wage and urged other state governments in the zone to emulate Governor Godwin Obaseki and encouraged members to “uphold the standards of the journalism profession at all times so that it will not lose public confidence, especially in the face of new media and fake news.”
