By Praise Chinecherem
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council has expressed worry over government officials’ disrespectful treatment of its members in course of their constitutional duties.
The body blamed such actions on over-zealous aides and security details, urging their principals to call them to order for better working relationship between them and media practitioners.
In a communique issued after its monthly Congress and signed by its chairman Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, NUJ also expressed worry over continued illegal collection of revenues across the State by some unscrupulous elements amidst government promises to put an end to such.
It noted that perpetrators of the unlawful business have kept on intimidating and extorting innocent citizens, calling on government to Intensify efforts to end illegal collection of levies and taxes in the state.
The communique reads partly, “Congress observed government efforts to rid the state of wastes and dump sites while, however, noting that so much is still to be done as mountains of wastes are still a common sight in different parts of the state especially in urban settlements.
“It therefore, called for an intensified effort and better strategies for waste management so as to better safeguard the health and environmental wellbeing of residents of the State.
“The Congress called the attention of the Government to the poor and harzardous state of the roads in the state and emphasised the need for speedy and massive road rehabilitation and construction.
“It emphasised that the State must return to its days of glory as one with the longest network of tarred roads in the country, being that a good road network is a catalyst for increased and efficient economic activities.
“The Congress charged the State Working Committee (SWC) of the Union to engage the Anambra State Government and the managements of Anambra Broadcasting Service and National Light newspaper to speed up the process of paying the gratuities and pensions of retirees of the two establishments.
“It called attention to the plights of members who retired from these establishments and have gone for years without receiving their gratuities and pensions.
“The Congress also charged the SWC to engage the management of media organisations who deduct check-off dues of members at point of payment to ensure immediate remittance of such at most within 24 hours of such deduction, lamenting that some Government media outfits have continued to default in remitting check-off dues of members.
“The Congress commended the Executive of the Union for several projects it initiated especially the ongoing borehole project at the Godwin Ezemo International Press Centre and the upward review of salaries of the staff of the Council.
“It, however, suggested that planting of trees within the centre be considered as part of the ongoing effort to give the centre a facelift.”
