The Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the state government and security agencies to urgently address growing concerns over insecurity, illegal revenue collection and unauthorised charges in public schools across the state.
The union made the appeal after its monthly congress held on Tuesday at the NUJ Press Centre in Asaba, where members reviewed several issues affecting the welfare, safety and economic well-being of residents.
At the meeting, journalists expressed worry over the increasing cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related violence and other criminal activities, warning that the situation continues to pose a threat to residents and professionals carrying out their daily duties.
The congress was presided over by the Delta State Chairman of the union, Churchill Oyowe.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the union commended security agencies for their efforts in combating crime but urged them to improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing and collaborate more closely with local stakeholders.
The NUJ also condemned the activities of individuals allegedly operating illegal taskforces on federal roads in parts of the state. It accused such groups of harassing motorists and collecting unauthorised levies.
According to the union, the practice amounts to illegal taxation and could discourage business activities and investment. It specifically cited reports from Udu Local Government Area, where such operations were allegedly taking place.
The congress called for the immediate disbandment of all illegal road taskforces and urged law enforcement agencies to prosecute those responsible.
It also criticised the harassment of traders and market women by individuals posing as revenue collectors, stressing that only authorised government officials have the legal right to collect revenue through approved channels.
The union, however, commended Jaro Egbo for exposing and arresting suspected fake taskforce operators in his local government area.
On education, the congress expressed concern over reports that some public schools were imposing unauthorised levies on students and parents. It alleged that certain school administrators were demanding payments for desks and other facilities while increasing approved charges without official approval.
The union urged the state government to investigate the allegations and punish any officials found guilty. It also called on education authorities to publicly display approved school fees and charges to prevent exploitation.
The congress further raised concerns about the growing number of unauthorised and poorly constructed billboards in major cities, including Asaba, Warri and Effurun, warning that such structures could pose safety risks and lead to revenue losses.
It appealed to the Delta State Signage and Advertisement Agency to step up enforcement efforts and remove defective billboards.
The union also frowned at the increasing use of flyovers as markets and parking areas by traders and tricycle operators, saying the development undermines the purpose of the infrastructure and creates safety concerns.
On security and migration, the NUJ warned about the increasing presence of undocumented persons in different parts of the state, particularly Asaba. It called on the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies to strengthen surveillance and monitoring.
The congress additionally urged stricter enforcement of the state’s anti-open grazing law, warning that continued violations could fuel conflicts between farmers and herders and negatively affect food production.
The union also advised the Delta State Traffic Management Authority to improve transparency in its operations and adopt technology such as surveillance cameras for traffic enforcement rather than using vehicles to block roads, a practice it said could result in accidents.
The NUJ concluded by calling on government agencies to ensure that resolutions reached at public summits, including the recent Delta State Security Summit, are implemented through clear timelines and monitoring mechanisms.
It reaffirmed its commitment to promoting good governance, accountability and the welfare of residents across Delta State.
