Rivers NUJ hails Fubara over planned renovation of secretariat

The Rivers Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has commended Gov. Siminalayi Fubara for his plan to renovate its secretariat complex in Port Harcourt.

The union also commended the governor for the recent appointment of its member, Mr. Nelson Chukwudi, as Chief Press Secretary of the Government House.

This is contained in a communiqué signed by executives of the Congress on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

The Congress was led by the Chairman of the State Council, Mr. Stanley Job.

The union, while commending the governor for addressing some of its concerns, also appealed for the reintroduction of a quarterly media interactive session with the governor.

According to the body, the session would keep the public abreast of the programmes and policies of the government.

They also commended the governor for the promotion of civil servants and plans to pay up retirment benefits accumulated in the past eight years.

The union also frowned at the power disconnection at its secretariat complex by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC).

Describing the action of PHEDC as unlawful, the body alleged outrageous billings and the inability of the company to attend to complaints brought before it.

The union also noted that there were no records of indebtedness while also pronouncing sanctions on any journalist who disregarded its resolve to boycott the activities of PHED in the state.

The NUJ, however, promised to forward a formal complaint to the National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC).

The congress was presided over by the state’s chapter chairman, Stanley Job.

Also in attendance were the National Vice President, Zone F, Mr. Opaka Dokubo, and the National Deputy President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Dr. Lilian Okonkwo.