Members of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have called on the Delta State Government to “be proactive in saving the lives and properties of her citizens, particularly in the coastal communities”.
This followed the warning by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, that at least 20 states, including Delta, will experience severe flooding before the end of the year.
To this end, the Union urged the government “to expedite action towards evacuating residents living in flood-prone areas in the state”.
The call was made in a communique issued at the end of the congress, jointly signed by Odeya Ogbetuo, Elo-Oghene Edremoda, Okpare Onojeghen and Onyeka Meluwa.
The union also called on residents of communities along the bank of River Niger to be vigilant and ready to be evacuated.
The Union demanded that “the N39.62billion ecological fund and the recently released N3billion approved to each state and the Federal Capital Territory by the Federal Government in the country to tackle all forms of natural disasters, including flooding, be judiciously utilised.
“The N3 billion recently released to states to tackle flooding should be expended for such purpose”, the Warri NUJ Correspondents Chapel reiterated.
Rising from its monthly congress on Wednesday, the Union frowned at “the non-disclosure of the internally generated revenue by the Delta State Internal Revenue Service Board (DSIRSB).”
The union urged the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration to give an account monthly of the internally generated funds.
It said, “Henceforth, IGR should be disclosed on a monthly basis as it was done under the administration of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, as it will engender transparency, accountability and trust.”
The union however commended Oborevwori for the landmark construction projects going on across the state, particularly the flyover projects at Enerhen Junction, PTI Junction and DSC Roundabout.
“The projects, upon completion, will not only beautify the twin cities of Warri and Uvwie but will ease traffic congestion in the areas,” the Union noted.
It urged the governor to “carry out rehabilitation of the link roads around ongoing construction sites”.
On insecurity, the journalists Union lamented the “rising cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities across the state”.
It therefore enjoined the state government and security agencies to “urgently tackle the alarming rate of crime in the state.”
The union specifically noted with disdain, “the menace of criminal herdsmen terrorising farmers, thereby plunging the state into food insecurity and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to book and take deliberate steps to curb hunger through establishment of state agricultural hubs in the three senatorial districts.”
It also urged Local Governments in the state to do the same by setting up farm settlements, to boost food production in the state.
On education, the NUJ Warri Chapel noted with concern the “lack of teachers in public secondary schools and called on the State Government to urgently address the shortfalls, so as to save the state’s secondary education”.
According to the Union, it has been inundated with complaints from parents, communities and teachers over the shortage of teachers, particularly in Mathematics, English and some basic science subjects in secondary schools across the state.
The Union further expressed worries over the transport system in the state owing to the harsh economic realities, as a result of the hike in petrol pump price and implored the State Government to “design a subsidised transport system to cushion the economic hardship.”
The Union concluded that “if these suggestions are considered and graciously implemented, they will positively impact the administration of Governor Oborevwori and Deltans at large.”
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