By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council has expressed concern over activities of revenue agents terrorising the streets of Anambra.
In a communique signed by the Council's Chairman, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu and the Secretary, Sir Aloysius Ofodile, issued at the end of September 2023 congress, equally appealed to the state government to caution and call the revenue agents to order and to employ civility in the discharge of their duties.
The NUJ further reiterated the needs for governor Chukwuma Soludo's administration to utilise the dry season to rehabilitate roads as promised by the administration.
The statement read thus;
"Congress expressed concern over the activities of revenue agents who parade themselves in the streets, harassing and intimidating the poor masses in the process. It appealed to the state government to caution and call the agents to order and to employ civility in the discharge of their duties.
"Congress asked the state government to ensure the dry season setting in is used to complete so many roads flagged off during the rainy season for a smooth ride during the yuletide fast approaching. Congress advised that contractors be properly supervised to avoid channeling flood water wrongly into peoples homes as have been witnessed across the state to reduce man made Calamity and disasters associated with such as well as prevent man made gullies that culminate threatening erosion menace. Congress requests that flood channels by contractors should target to empty into stream and river channels to reduce self inflicted disasters.
"Congress commended the Council leadership led by Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Ph.D for their doggedness and fight for the welfare of the staff of defunct National Light Newspapers, published by Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation, ANPC and ensuring that the staff were absorbed into other ministries. Congress commended the NLC ,and TUC and other affiliate unions of the Trade union centers for their solidarity in that regards. Congress commeded the government of Anambra state led by Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo for keeping to his words of complete absorbing of the staff of the defunct National Light Newspapers. Congress appreciated the Head of Service of Anambra State, Barr Theodora Okwy Igwegbe, mni for her diligence.
"Congress commended the state government for it's committed attempt to improve the aesthetics of the state, and urged the government not to push the citizenry to hunger, but to be sensitive to their plights and welfare amidst the economic hardship.
"Congress commeded Hon Arnold Chukwuebuka Ekweoba, the MD/CEO of Arnold and Associates Ltd, real estate giant for his partnership in sponsoring NUJ Media Games 2023 and assurances to train journalists in real estate, as well as the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Benneth Emeka, MD/CEO of New Idea construction company for sponsoring the novelty match between NUJ Anambra team and Catholic priests in Awka and Ekwulobia dioceses which ended 1-1.
"Congress further commeded the Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo led government for the new openings advertised for employment of Health workers and, even promise of more opening for teachers employment ,and appealed to him to birth a new digital National Light Newspapers to have opening for journalists to be employed too like others , even as congress appealed for a massive upgrade of the Anambra State Broadcasting Service, ABS to be in DSTV and all pay as you go Channels like other State Broadcasting organizations in the country."