UPDATED: NUJ Delta Council Kicks As Gov Okowa Plans To Run Newly Established Varsities Through PPP

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta Stat Council, has expressed concern over Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s moves to run the three newly established universities in the state through a public private partnership model.

BIGPENNGR reports that the NUJ expressed this concern in a communique issued after its Congress held at the Temporary Secretariat of the union in Asaba, the state capital.

“The union frowned at the proposed public private partnership being recommended by the Prof. Patrick Muoboghare-led management committee for the running of the newly created universities, as this would discourage easy access to university education by qualified Deltans, thereby defeating the main purpose of establishing the universities in Anwai, Agbor and Ozoro.

“Also, adopting a PPP model might lead to job loss for existing academic and non-academic staff, thereby increasing the alarming rate of unemployment in the state”, the Delta NUJ said in the communique signed by Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, Chairman and Comrade Patrick Ochei, Secretary respectively.

However, the Congress commended Governor Okowa-led administration for the ongoing construction of the NUJ press centre and the recent commissioning of people oriented projects across the state.

The communique which was also signed by Comrade Paul Osuyi, Comrade Sunday Apah, Comrade Andy Emephia as chairman, secretary and member respectively of the communique drafting committee, drew the attention of the government to the litany of uncompleted projects such as Ayakoromo Bridge project, Omadino-Ughoton-Adagbrasa road project, among others and appealed for their speedy completion.

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The Union called on the Delta state government to install traffic lights at strategic junctions and roundabouts in major cities and towns in the state to ease traffic gridlock and make functional some of the traffic lights that are faulty. Also called on the government to deploy DESTMA officials to PTI junction, Jakpa junction and Effurun roundabout all in Warri and Uvwie to ease traffic grid lock.

On perennial flooding in the state, the union called on the Delta State Government to construct permanent Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps at strategic locations to take care of people sacked from their homes annually by flood, especially parts of Oshimili South, Aniocha South, Ndokwa federal constituency, Isoko, Ughelli, Warri, Ewu, Okwagbe and other riverine communities.

It berated unprofessional conduct of health workers particularly nurses and doctors towards patients in public hospitals across the state.

“A situation where doctors and nurses are hostile in attending to patients, and engage in sharp practices in various pharmacies/dispenseries within the hospitals, is unacceptable. It therefore called on the state government to beam it’s search light on the hospitals with a view to putting an end to these sharp practices”.

On the state of insecurity, in view of the recent threats of attacks issued by suspected Fulani Jihadists, the union called on the state government and security agencies to beef up security in public places, especially schools, police facilities and media houses, which have become soft targets for such attacks in the state and other parts of the country. The union thereby advised residents to be security conscious.

The Union further condemned the recent attacks on police stations and killing of policemen in Delta State, warning that should the trend continues, it will pose serious danger to innocent lives and property in the state

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The union expressed worries over the rising wave of cultism particularly in secondary schools across the state. It also notes with disdain the attitude of some teachers who encourage the sales of hard drugs in secondary schools which gives impetus for CULTISM to thrive in the society. The union therefore adviced parents and guardians to monitor their children and wards.

The Congress also called on the state government to upgrade facilities at the state owned media houses (DBS, Asaba; DBS, Warri; and Pointer Newspaper) with a view to improving on the quality of services in line with acceptable international standard.