The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, has vowed to intensify efforts to rid the Journalism profession of quackery and impersonation.
The Union further vowed that individuals parading as journalists without appropriate licensing will henceforth face the full weight of the law.
The resolution was part of a nine-point communique issued at the end of the Council’s monthly congress held recently at the NUJ Press Centre, Umuahia.
The Communiqué, signed by the Council Chairman, Comrade Chidi Asonye and Secretary, Comrade Iyke Onuegbu stated that; “In line with the directive by the National Secretariat, Congress resolves to fight quackery and impersonation of journalists by non-professionals.
“Congress resolves that henceforth, anyone not licensed to practise as a journalist in accordance with the Nigeria Press Council law but parades as one, especially bloggers, if arrested, will be made to face the full weight of the law”, the Communiqué stated.
The Congress which also deliberated extensively on issues affecting the State, passed a series of resolutions aimed at strengthening governance and service delivery.
On Civil Service matters, the NUJ appealed to Governor Alex Otti to bring to a conclusion the long-suspended promotion exercise for civil servants, noting that “majority of the workers have not been promoted for over six years”.
The NUJ also urged Governor Otti to bring his financial expertise to bear in ensuring proper oversight of the Ministry of Finance, MDAs, and the Accountant-General’s office and expressed concern over continued reports of “civil servants not being paid their appropriate wages monthly, underpayment of salaries, stoppage of salary payment without explanation and/or heavy deductions on salaries”.
The Union stressed that the implementation of new salary scales would serve as a strong motivation for enhanced productivity across the public sector.
In its assessment of ongoing infrastructure projects, the Union commended the Otti administration for its consistent investment in road development but urged the contractor handling the reconstruction of Akanu Ibiam and Library Avenue roads to ensure that the drainages are properly opened and warned that failure to do so could lead to the diversion of floodwater into residential and commercial areas.
Addressing the frequent road crashes along the Signboard Junction axis of the Umuahia-Uzuakoli road, the Union called on the government to construct a roundabout and install speed breakers.
It also cautioned tricycle operators and motorists to “reduce their excessive speed while using the newly constructed road”.
On environmental concerns, the Union urged the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) and residents to ensure the evacuation of drainages to allow free flow of rainwater during the rainy season.
The congress expressed appreciation for the Governor’s plans to develop a world-class Medical City at Mbasaa, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, and commended the recent completion of the access road through Umuocheala community, one of the host communities to the proposed site.
The NUJ raised concerns over alleged misconduct by some Internal Revenue Service officials in Umuahia, who were reportedly collecting cash from revenue defaulters without issuing receipts.
It reminded the public that “payment of cash to any government official has since been prohibited by the Dr Alex Otti administration as part of the measures to plug revenue leakages”.
The Union further commended the Governor for launching the Integrated WASH Accelerated Programme (IWAP), which integrates solar power, water supply, and sanitation facilities to promote hygiene in the state.
It recommended that “qualified personnel with the capacity and ability to properly man the facility” be deployed to prevent vandalism and misuse.
