…calls for normal clearing of drainages, erosion channels
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, has referred to as on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently deal with the recurring flooding in elements of the state, urging the federal government to undertake proactive measures to minimise harm through the wet season.
The union described the incidents of flooding recorded throughout the state as “pathetic” and appealed to each the state and native governments to make sure the common clearing of drainage programs and erosion channels earlier than the onset of heavy rains.
The decision was contained in a communiqué issued on the finish of the union’s month-to-month congress held on the NUJ Press Centre, Pen Crescent, Alagbaka, Akure.
The communiqué was drafted by Hosea Olusegun of the Digital Media Chapel, Damilola Isaiah of the Correspondents’ Chapel and Olorunferanmi Odofin of the FRCN Optimistic FM Chapel. It was signed and launched on Sunday by the State Secretary, Olaoluwa Meshack.
The congress, presided over by the State Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite, warned that the federal government shouldn’t wait till the height of the wet season earlier than taking steps to forestall flooding, stressing the necessity for sustained preventive measures.
It referred to as on each the state and native governments to institutionalise common clearing of abrasion channels and drainage programs as a part of measures to scale back the affect of flooding on communities.
“On environmental points, the Congress described the pockets of flooding throughout the state as pathetic and referred to as on each the State and native governments to be extra proactive in stopping flooding by clearing erosion programs repeatedly and shouldn’t wait raining season,” the communique stated.
The decision got here against the backdrop of current flooding incidents in totally different elements of state, which have disrupted motion, affected communities and raised considerations amongst residents.
The union additionally expressed concern over the situation of a number of roads throughout the state, saying poor drainage and deplorable roads may worsen the affect of flooding and create further hardship for residents.
Whereas acknowledging the continued highway building efforts of the state authorities, the NUJ expressed reservations over the sluggish tempo of labor on some initiatives, notably the Akungba-Ikare Akoko Street, Okitipupa-Igbokoda Street and Oke-Aro-Idanre Street.
It urged contractors dealing with the initiatives to speed up work and full them inside the shortest doable time.
The Congress additionally described the continued building of the flyover on Oba Adesida Street, Akure, as a laudable challenge, however appealed to the state authorities to make different routes across the building space motorable to ease visitors diversion.
“That the Congress famous the continued highway building efforts of the Ondo State authorities throughout the state, however expressed reservations over the sluggish tempo of works on among the initiatives particularly Akungba-Ikare Akoko highway; Okitipupa-Igbokoda highway and Oke-Aro Idanre highway. The Union subsequently urged contractors dealing with the highway initiatives to double up efforts at finishing them,” it added.
It additional referred to as for the clearing of the favored Arakale highway to guarantee free circulation of visitors inside the state capital.
On federal roads, the NUJ recommended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ongoing initiatives, together with the dualisation of the Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Benin highway and reconstruction of the Akure-Ado Ekiti and Akure-Ondo-Ore roads.
“That Congress whereas applauding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration at dualising Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Benin highway; reconstructing of Akure-Ado Ekiti highway and Akure-Ondo-Ore highway, expressed deep concern over the deplorable situation of different federal roads linking Ondo North with different states,” it stated.
Nevertheless, it expressed concern over the deplorable situation of different federal roads linking Ondo North with neighbouring states.
The Union urged federal lawmakers and authorities appointees from the world to facilitate the urgent rehabilitation of the Ikare-Ogbagi-Irun-Akoko-Ado Ekiti Street and Owo-Ipele-Isua Akoko-Kabba Street.
“The Union subsequently enjoined federal lawmakers and Authorities’s Appointees from that a part of the state to rise to the event by facilitating urgent rehabilitation of such roads notably Ikare- Ogbagi-Irun-Akoko -Ado Ekiti highway in addition to Owo-Ipele-Isua Akoko-Kabba highway,” the communique added.
The Congress additionally recommended the Ondo NUJ management underneath Adegbite for its efforts in defending the pursuits of journalists and the continued beautification of the Union’s Press Centre.
It lauded the management for supporting the Nigeria Affiliation of Ladies Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Sports activities Writers Affiliation of Nigeria (SWAN) in organising programmes, together with kids’s events and sporting competitions.
The Union additional recommended the advance recorded on the Ondo State Radiovision Company (OSRC) Media Group and urged the state authorities to place the tv station on cable networks to develop its attain and improve profession alternatives for its employees.
