The Rivers State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, has appealed to the Rivers State Government, to drop its plan to demolish the transmission station of Daar Communications, owners of Africa Independent Television, AIT, and Raypower Radio stations at Ozuoba, Rivers State.
The NUJ appeal is the sequel to a 48-hour quit notice the Rivers State Government, through its Ministry of Works, served Daar Communications Plc, in the early hours of Monday, March 20, 2023.
The quit notice signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Ebere Dinnis Emenike, requested the media house to remove its structure for a proposed housing project within 48 hours.
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The land on which AIT and Raypower Radio Station built their transmission stations has been a subject of dispute between the Rivers State Government and Daar Communications Plc.
The Rivers State Council of the NUJ, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Stanley Job Stanley, and Secretary, Ike Wigodo, appealed to the Rivers State Government to review its position on the land dispute and drop its plan to demolish and take over Daar Communications property.
The Council in the statement also urged the state government to open a negotiation channel with the media organization, for a peaceful resolution.
The union said that though it appreciated the state government’s urban renewal policy, it pleaded with the government to temper justice with mercy.
It further stated that the press and the Rivers State Government have come a long way as partners, and would not want the world to see the press in a fight with the Rivers State Government, given the long-standing mutual relationship.
The statement noted that NUJ will not be happy to see a media house in Rivers State being demolished over a land dispute, that can be resolved peacefully and amicably.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
