By Kamsi Anayo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Thursday expressed grave concern over several threats to the lives of journalists in Anambra State.
The union in a statement by its state chairman, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, in Awka, the Anambra State capital said the lives of Journalists in Anambra State have come under threat from hoodlums.
According to them, some journalists have been receiving series of threat messages from hoodlums and arsonists notifying them of likely attacks on their stations.
The NUJ, while commending the state government’s efforts to reduce the crime rate in the state, expressed dismay over the threat posed by the alleged gunmen to the residents and workers in some Local Government Headquarters in the state.
The union urged the state government to strictly enforce the ban on roadside touting in the state, especially at Upper Iweka, Onitsha where it said touts had devised various means to rob and extort money from unsuspecting victims.
The NUJ also called the attention of the state government to the delapidated condition of roads in Anambra State describing the roads as terrible.
The union asked the governor to start light maintanance works on roads in Awka and its environs.
“The Congress(NUJ) condemned the existence of numerous potholes on the major roads and the adjoining roads in Awka especially Nodu – Goodwill junction, Y-junction – UNIZIK, among many others, and urged the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led government to do the needful by carrying out palliative work on the damaged portions of the roads to save residents from further suffering.
“The Congress frowned at the continued heavy gridlock on the River Niger Bridge due to the attitude of transporters picking up passengers on the Onitsha Bridge and called on the government to intervene to end the anomaly.” The statement reads in part.
“The Congress further condemned the rascality of Keke and Shuttle drivers who have continued to disrupt the free-flow of traffic along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, notably around the Regina Caeli junction, UNIZIK Temporary site, and the Aroma Junction.
“The congress called the attention of the state government to the heaps of refuse constituting nuisance at different corners of the state, urging it to urgently take action in this regard.
“The Congress frowned at the lackadaisical attitude of some INEC officials and reported extortion of Nigerians registering for voter’s cards at different of the state by the officials of the commission”. The statement further stated.