NUJ Warri Praises Oborevwori On Road Construction, Laments Deteriorating Healthcare Services In Delta

By Daniel Dafe

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, has commended the Delta State Government, ably led by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for its sustained efforts in the construction and rehabilitation of roads across the state.

This was contained in a communiqué issued on Tuesday at the end of a congress.

The Chapel noted with particular interest, the ongoing construction of flyovers/bridges at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Junction, DSC Roundabout, and Enerhen Junction in Warri and Effurun, saying that “these projects will significantly ease traffic congestion and enhance socio-economic activities within the state.”

Continuing, the Chapel lauded the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a flyover/bridge at the Otowodo axis in Ughelli, as well as plans for the construction of other bridges in other parts of the state.

While commending the state government for these landmark infrastructural projects, the Chapel expressed serious concern over the deteriorating conditions of healthcare services in the state, stating that “many general hospitals lacked the requisite facilities to adequately attend to patients.”

Adding: “Of particular concern is the poor condition of the Dentistry Department at the Ughelli General Hospital, and other health centres where dental chairs and tables are broken and urgently require attention,” just as the Chapel urged the Commissioner for Health to tour heath facilities across the state to address the inadequacies.

Furthermore, the chapel expressed worries over the poor state of several roads across the state.

“Notable among them are the Isaba–Otutuama Road, Ophorigbala–Ighwurogu axis in Ughelli South Local Government Area, and Idjerhe Roads in Ethiope West Local Government Area,” the communiqué added.

The Chapel specially appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, through the relevant agencies or local government authorities, for the urgent repair of Eburu Road in the Okumagba Layout, where the Union’s new Chapel Secretariat is currently located.

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Continuing, the chapel, said: “Another issue of urgent concern in the state is the exploitative practices of most house agents, whose actions/activities have compelled landlords to increase rents arbitrarily—sometimes yearly and, in extreme cases, monthly—thereby worsening the hardship faced by residents.”

The Chapel, therefore appealed to the Delta State Government to intervene in the housing sector by setting up a committee to look into the exploitative rent practices, with a view to alleviating the burden of the people.

NUJ Warri urged the state government to emulate the Lagos State model, where government and landlords meet often to create rent payment system that is pliable where tenants are permitted to pay house rent for a minimum of six months depending on their capacity.

The union, said further: “As the 2027 general elections draw near, the Chapel called on the state government to ensure a level playing field for all political actors.

“In the spirit of transparency and public trust, we advocate for the real-time electronic transmission of election results, a process that has gained widespread public acceptance and is widely regarded as a safeguard for credible elections.”

Meanwhile, the Chapel commiserated with the family of the late Godwin Brotu, who until his demise was a member of the NUJ, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel.

Furthermore, the Chapel extended its condolences to Mr Sunny Ariegue over the passing of his mother, Mrs Office Christiana Ukerume and Mrs Njideka Igbani on the demise of her father, Hon. Reuben Chukwudiebele Agba, praying that God grants the families of these departed, the fortitude to bear their irreparable losses.

The communiqué was signed by Chido Okafor, Chairman, Elo Edremoda, Secretary, Samuel Ogude, Member and Onyeka Meluwa, Member.