The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has called on Governors of the nine states in the Niger Delta region to account for the utilisation of the 13% Derivation Funds received from the Federal Government.
This was contained in a communique released at the end of the Zonal Meeting of the Union held in Calabar, the Cross River State Clcapital, South-South Nigeria and signed by the National Vice President Zone F, Opaka Dokubo and Secretary, John Angese, demanding that accounting for such funds will show transparency and accountability on their part.
The Union also called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the Calabar-Itu Road and other roads in the region which were presently in very bad conditions.
The meeting also called on the Federal Government to make concrete efforts to avoid a reoccurrence of the flooding situation which caused incalculable damage to lives and property in different parts of the country recently, with the Niger Delta region being the worst hit.
The zone called on the Police and other security agencies to be neutral in attending to issues relating to the 2023 general elections in order not to create or enhance tensions in the society.
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It also advised journalists across the zone to be professional in their reportage, cautious and sensitive to signs of danger while covering and reporting political events before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
The Union also advised journalists to guard against being used by political parties and their candidates to fan the embers of discord that could cause division among journalists.
The 11-point communique was issued at the end of the meeting attended by all the Zonal Officers as well as all Chairmen and Secretaries of the six states of the South-South region that make up Zone F of the Union.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
