NUJ moves to fish out quack journalists in Abia
In line with the directive by its National Secretariat, the Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has resolved to fight quackery and impersonation of journalists by non-professionals in the state.
The resolution, which was taken at the monthly Congress of the Abia NUJ, stated that henceforth, anyone not licensed to practice as a journalist in accordance with the Nigeria Press Council law but illegally parades as a journalist will be made to face the full weight of the law, if arrested.
The communiqué, which was signed by Abia NUJ Chairman, Chidi Asonye, and Secretary, Ikechukwu Onuegbu, also urged the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, and residents to evacuate blocked drainages in the state to ensure free flow of water this rainy season.
The NUJ Congress, which advised the Abia State government to construct speed breakers and a roundabout at Sign Board Junction along the reconstructed Umuahia–Uzuakoli Road to prevent frequent accidents that have been claiming lives, urged tricycle riders to avoid recklessness.
The journalists called for the conclusion of the suspended promotion exercise for Abia State civil servants, considering the fact that many of the civil servants have not been promoted for more than six years now.
The NUJ members asked the Abia State government to strictly monitor the activities of some of its internal revenue officials who reportedly collected cash from residents whose shops were sealed for revenue tax default without issuance of receipts, instead of directing the defaulters to banks as approved by the state government.
The journalists, who commended the Abia State government for the recent launch of integrated solar power and public water rehabilitation projects, which would promote good health and general hygiene, called for the protection of the facilities from vandalism.
The Congress further thanked the state government for completing the construction of Umuochiala Road leading to the Abia State Medical City at Mbaasaa, Isiala Ngwa South LGA.
They concluded by urging Governor Alex Otti to closely monitor personnel of the Ministry of Finance and MDAs in the ministry by investigating the allegations of underlayment, heavy salary deductions, stoppage of salaries, and non-implementation of the new minimum wage in some MDAs in Abia.
NUJ moves to fish out quack journalists in Abia
