13% Derivation Refunds: NUJ Tasks Nice Delta Governors To Be Accountable To The People
13% Derivation Refunds: NUJ Tasks Nice Delta Governors To Be Accountable To The People
The Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ), has called on governors of Niger Delta states to come out clean and be accountable to the people, especially in the controverted 13% derivation refunds received from the federal government.
In a communiqué issued weekend at the end of a retreat in Calabar, Cross River State, of the NUJ Zone F, made up of six states of the South-South geopolitical, the union harped the need for state governments in the Niger Delta region to be accountable to the people on the receipt and utilisation of the 13% derivative funds.
Recall that the lid on the receipt of the refunds running into hundreds of billions of Naira was blown off recently by the governor of River State, revealing that he had expended his allocations on multiple of mega projects across his state, while calling on his counterparts to show evidence of their expenditures of the refunds.
Similarly, the NUJ Zone F leadership urged the reconstituted Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to be above board in the performance of their duties and as well be accountable to the people, while commending the Federal Government for reconstituting the Board.
The zone stressed the need for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on Calabar-Itu road and other roads in the region which are presently in a very bad condition.
Furthermore, the NU urged the federal government to make concrete efforts to avoid a reoccurrence of the flooding situation which caused incalculable damage to lives and property in different parts of Nigeria recently, with the region being the worst hit.
The zone called on the Police and other security agencies to be neutral in attending to issues relating to the 2023 general elections in order not to create or enhance tension in the society.
Meanwhile, the professional body called on journalists across the zone to be professional in their reportage, whilst exercising cautious and sensitivity to signs of danger in the course of covering and reporting political events before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
It advised journalists to guide against being used by political parties and their flag bearers to fan the embers of discord that could cause division among journalists.
While thanking the Delta State Governor for building a befitting Press Centre and providing a bus for the Delta Council, it also commended the Cross River State government for the support given to the state council and the promise to assist in the remodeling of the union’s Press Centre.
The zonal body emphasised on the need for state governments yet to domesticate the Child Rights Act and the VAPP to do so in order to check the increasing incidences of Child Abuse and other anti-social vices against women and children.
