Uyo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone F, has called on governors of the South-South region to urgently revive the BRACED Commission and renew their commitment to regional integration and infrastructural development.
The appeal was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Zone’s meeting held on Saturday at the NUJ Press Centre, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The communiqué was signed by Comrade Opaka Dokubo, Vice President of Zone F; Comrade Dominic Akpan, Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee; and Comrade Michael Abang, Secretary of the Committee.
The BRACED Commission, which brings together Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta states, was established to foster regional cooperation and accelerate development in the South-South geopolitical zone. The NUJ lamented the Commission’s dormancy, stressing the urgent need for governors in the region to resuscitate the body and execute projects that would enhance connectivity, particularly through the construction of bridges linking riverine communities.
The Union also expressed dismay over the poor state of federal road infrastructure in the region, urging the Federal Government to translate policy promises into action by completing all Trunk A roads. According to the communiqué, this would help reduce the high cost of transporting people, goods, and services across the region.
Welcoming the increase in monthly allocations to Local Government Councils, the Union charged council chairmen to move beyond grading community roads and prioritize the construction of Trunk C roads to improve rural connectivity and economic activity.
The Zone congratulated the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on its 25th anniversary and applauded its “Operation Light Up the Niger Delta” initiative under the leadership of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku. However, it urged the Commission to scale up its interventions to match the resources allocated to it and expand its impact across the region by investing in vital infrastructure such as bridges.
In a bold stance, the Union called on the Federal Government to release the forensic audit report of the NDDC and halt what it termed the “incessant sacking” of the Commission’s board, warning that such instability undermines progress.
The NUJ also tasked residents of the South-South to take responsibility for safeguarding public infrastructure and discouraged vandalism of government assets.
On internal affairs, the Zone passed a vote of confidence on its leadership, commending Comrade Opaka Dokubo and Zonal Secretary Comrade Angese John for overseeing peaceful elections across State Councils.
It also urged members in States with pending elections to engage in issue-based campaigns and maintain peace within the Union.
The NUJ Zone F commended Tantita Security Services for constructing a befitting secretariat for the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel in Delta State, describing it as a boost to journalism infrastructure in the region.
Gratitude was also extended to the South-South governors for their support to various State Councils of the Union, with a special mention of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State. The Zone lauded him for supporting the Zonal meeting, completing the NUJ Auditorium Project, and donating vehicles to 11 members of the State Council.
The Zone further praised the leadership of the NUJ Akwa Ibom State Council—Comrade Amos Etuk and Comrade Dominic Akpan—for their commitment and contributions to the growth of journalism in the region. A vote of confidence was passed on both, and Comrade Etuk was nominated for appointment as a Trustee of Zone F.
