By Dianabasi Effiong
Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone F, have appealed to the South-South Governors to revive the BRACED Commission, re-dedicate themselves to regional development, and prioritise infrastructure projects, including building bridges to connect riverine communities within the geopolitical zone.
They made this known in a communiqué issued at their Zonal Meeting on Saturday at the NUJ Press Centre in Uyo. The communiqué was signed by the VP, Zone F, Comrade Opaka Dokubo; Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee ((CDC(; Comrade Dominic Akpan and the Secretary, CDC, Comrade Michael Abang.
The BRACED Commission comprises Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta states.
They also raised concerns about the poor condition of road infrastructure in the South-South Zone, adding that they were not satisfied with the development.
Therefore, the Union called on the Federal Government “to bridge the gap between rhetoric and reality by completing all the Trunk A roads in the South-South States to reduce the cost of transportation of the people, goods, and services”.
The Zone noted with delight the increase in the monthly allocation to Local Government Councils and urged the council chairmen to go beyond the grading of community roads to the construction of Trunk C roads.
The Zone also congratulated the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on its 25th anniversary.
It acknowledged the modest achievements of the Dr Samuel Ogbuku-led management through “the impactful Operation Light Up the Niger Delta initiative, which has brought significant benefits to rural communities.”
It challenged the Commission to do more to justify the enormous resources meant to turn around the socio-economic condition of the people of the region.
The Zone also charged the NDDC to foster collaborative efforts with the State Governors and expand its scope to include providing critical infrastructure projects, such as building bridges to connect communities across the region.
The Zone called on the Federal Government “to publish the report of the forensic audit of the NDDC, and stop what it called ‘the incessant sacking of the Board of the Commission”.
To the people of the South-South, the Zone urged them “to take ownership of the government’s facilities by protecting them against vandalism”.
The Zone passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Vice President, Comrade Opaka Dokubo, and Zonal Secretary, Comrade Angese John, for their effective stewardship and for conducting peaceful and hitch-free elections in the State Councils in the Zone.
It also charged members of the Union in State Councils with pending elections to sustain the prevailing peace by adopting issue-based campaigns.
The Zone also commended Tantita Security Services for building a befitting secretariat for the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel in the Delta State Council of the NUJ.
It commended the Governors of the South-South for their numerous supports to their respective State Councils, and particularly thanked Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom for supporting the hosting of the Zonal meeting, completion of the Auditorium Project, and donation of vehicles to the 11 members of the State Council of the union.
The Zone commended the NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council Chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk, and the Secretary, Comrade Dominic Akpan, for their impactful leadership and support to all the activities of Zone F.
Accordingly, the Zone passed a Vote of Confidence on them and nominated Comrade Etuk for appointment as a Trustee of Zone F, the communiqué added.
