The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council, has said that “the continued imposition of road blocks by the Nigerian Police in Delta State, particularly along Okpanam Road and Nnebisi Road, has inflicted severe hardship on the citizens and residents of Asaba,” urging the police to dismantle road blocks and embrace crime combat technology in the state.
This was contained in a statement on Saturday night signed by Comrade Churchill Oyowe , Chairman and Comrade Victor Sorokwu, Secretary.
According to the statement, “this unjustifiable and disruptive practice, initiated about two years ago in response to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) uprising, has led to a myriad of negative consequences, including gridlock, accidents, road rage, loss of productivity, and extortion of motorists.”
Delta NUJ said the union “strongly condemns the prolonged imposition of these road blocks especially in front of Police formations and calls for their immediate dismantling.”
Adding: “The original reason for their implementation, the IPOB uprising, is no longer a credible threat, rendering the continued blockade unnecessary and unjustifiable.”
The statement said further: “We need to benchmark the fact that during and after the SARS protest in 2020, some of the roads in front of police facilities were partially blocked but such were removed after some weeks.
“The citizens of Delta State should not be subjected to such long hardships in the name of security measures. It is imperative that the Nigerian Police and the Delta State Government embrace modern technology for crime fighting, rather than relying on archaic and disruptive road block methods.
“With the advancement of surveillance and communication technology, it is entirely feasible to effectively monitor and respond to security threats without causing undue suffering to the populace.”
The union opined that “the state government must take decisive action to ensure that the citizens are not denied the use of roads that are vital for their socioeconomic wellbeing,” saying “the imposition of the roadblocks has led to a significant loss of man-hours, and productivity, and has exacerbated the daily struggles of the people.”
“It is time to prioritize the welfare of the citizens and find more efficient and humane ways to maintain security and order in the state.
“It is on record that the call for the dismantling of roadblocks in front of police facilities in the state is not new. The beauty of democracy is that when the people talk or express concerns, the government, including that Delta State and the Nigerian Police Force should listen.
“Ignoring the concerns of the people amounts impunity and therefore constricting democratic tenets where the people reign supreme,” Data NUJ said.
“The NUJ, Delta State Council, stands in solidarity with the people of Delta State and demands the immediate dismantling of the roadblocks. We call on the state government and the police command in the state to act swiftly and decisively to address this issue and ensure the free movement of the citizens.
“It is time to embrace progressive and effective measures for crime fighting and alleviate the unnecessary burden placed on the people of Delta State,” the statement concluded.
