By Great Maduawulechukwu-Asaba
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Delta State Council, has called on the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led Delta State Government to jettison proposed Public Private Partnership (PPP), being recommended by the Prof. Patrick Muoboghare-led management committee for the running of the newly created universities, warning that it may jeopardise the main purpose of establishing the universities in Agbor, Awai and Ozoro.
The call was contained in a communique issued at the end of the NUJ Delta State Council monthly Congress held at it’s temporary press centre in the capital city of Asaba, noting that apart from the herculean task candidate seeking admission may encounter, adopting a PPP model might lead to job loss for existing academic and non-academic staff, thereby increasing the alarming rate of unemployment in the state.
According to the communique, “In view of the recent threats of attacks issued by suspected Fulani Jihadists, the union called on the state government and securitythe recent threats of attacks issued by suspected Fulani Jihadists, the union called on the state government and security agencies to beef up security in public places, especially schools, police facilities and media houses, which have become soft targets for such attacks in the state and other parts of the country. The union thereby advised residents to be security conscious.”
“The Union further condemned the recent attacks on police stations and killing of policemen in Delta State, warning that should the trend continues, it will pose serious danger to innocent lives and property in the state.”
It added, “The union called on the Delta State Government to construct permanent Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps at strategic locations to take care of people sacked from their homes annually by flood, especially parts of Oshimili South, Aniocha South, Ndokwa federal constituency, Isoko, Ughelli, Warri, Ewu, Okwagbe and other riverine communities.”
“The Congress condemns the unprofessional conduct of health workers particularly nurses and doctors towards patients in public hospitals across the state. A situation where doctors and nurses are hostile in attending to patients, and engage in sharp practices in various pharmacies/dispenseries within the hospitals. It therefore called on the state government to beam it’s search light on the hospitals with a view to putting an end to these sharp practices.”
NUJ Delta State Council, expresses worries over the rising wave of cultism particularly in secondary schools across the state. It also notes with disdain the attitude of some teachers who encourage the sales of hard drugs in secondary schools which gives impetus for CULTISM to thrive in the society. The union therefore adviced parents and guardians to monitor their children and wards.
The communique signed by Comrade Michael ikeogwu, Chairman, Comrade Patrick Ochei, Secretary, Comrade Paul Osuyi, Comrade Sunday Apah and Comrade Andy Emephia, Chairman, Secretary and Member, Communique Drafting Communique, “Congress while commending the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration for the ongoing construction of the NUJ press centre and the recent commissioning of people oriented projects across the state, draws the attention of the government to the litany of uncompleted projects such as Ayakoromo Bridge project, Omadino-Ughoton-Adagbrasa road project, among others. The Union appeals for speedy completion of these projects across the state to enable him finish strong.”
“The Union called on the Delta state government to install traffic lights at strategic junctions and roundabouts in major cities and towns in the state to ease traffic gridlock and make functional some of the traffic lights that are faulty. also called on the government to deploy DESTMA officials to PTI junction, Jakpa junction and Effurun roundabout all in Warri and Uvwie to ease traffic grid lock.”
“The Congress also called on the state government to upgrade facilities at the state owned media houses (DBS, Asaba; DBS, Warri; and Pointer Newspaper) with a view to improving on the quality of services in line with acceptable international standard.”
