By IN apparent response to critical issues facing Delta State, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Delta State Council concluded its congress on Tuesday, issuing a communique with urgent requests for government intervention.
The congress, held at the Press Centre on Maryam Babangida Way in Asaba, highlighted pressing matters, from flood relief to housing and food security, impacting the region’s citizens.
The NUJ Delta Council urged the Delta State Government to establish permanent Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the three senatorial districts.
This call responds to the yearly flooding that displaces thousands and strains resources.
The communique emphasised that these camps, along with stepped-up relief provisions and targeted awareness campaigns, are essential to protect vulnerable communities in flood-prone areas.
Recognising the economic challenges affecting civil servants, the NUJ also recommended a unique initiative: designating certain work-free days for farming.
The union proposed that the government create a special farming scheme specifically for civil servants, which would help bolster food security in Delta State.
Such a scheme, they argued, could mitigate the impact of inflation on household incomes and enhance local food production.
The rising cost of housing was another focal issue. The union raised concerns over touts posing as housing agents who arbitrarily inflate rents across Delta State.
The communique urged the government to regulate the activities of these informal agents to curb exploitative rent hikes and ensure fair housing prices, particularly for low- and middle-income families.
In a bid to enhance road safety, the union appealed to the state government to address missing or damaged concrete slabs and manholes in Asaba’s roads.
This, they said, would ensure safer travel for motorists and pedestrians, reducing the risks of accidents in the bustling capital territory.
According to the union, immediate repair efforts could prevent further infrastructure damage and maintain the flow of traffic in urban areas.
The communique further highlighted the role of various task forces within the state’s transport sector.
The NUJ noted that these task forces, which are responsible for collecting levies from tricycle operators, have led to rising transport costs that burden everyday commuters.
The union called on the government to regulate these task forces to prevent exploitation and ease transportation costs for Delta’s citizens.
Finally, the union encouraged full enforcement of existing laws, including the Public and Private Properties Protection Law (2018) and the Anti-Open Grazing Law (2021).
Implementing these measures, they argued, would foster a safer environment for investment and help maintain law and order.
The communique concluded with an appeal for these reforms, reflecting the NUJ’s commitment to advocating for Delta’s development and citizen welfare.
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