NUJ Laments Deplorable State Of Road Infrastructure In Nigeria.

By; BUHARI B. BELLO, Jos

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) has lamented the deplorable state of road Infrastructure across the country.

The NUJ National Executive Council expressed this in a communique issued at its national executive council meeting held on August 12, 2025 in Kano, Kano State, to review the state of the nation and deliberate on critical issues affecting the media industry and the welfare of journalists in Nigeria.

The meeting was presided over by the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhasan Yahya.

The NEC lamented the hazardous state of federal and state roads across the country, particularly in Delta, Bauchi, Gombe to Taraba, Benue, Rivers, Enugu, and Kogi states.

“Many of these roads have become death traps, disrupting economic activities and causing needless loss of lives,” NUJ said.

The NEC urged both federal and state governments to take immediate action to rehabilitate critical road networks and ensure the timely and quality completion of all ongoing projects.

Also, the NUJ National Executive Council called on government to look into the worsening insecurity bedeviling the peace and comfort of the citizens of the country

“The NEC expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in many parts of the country, particularly in Benue, Zamfara, and Plateau States, among others. The rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and other violent crimes continue to endanger lives and threaten national unity. The Union calls on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to restore peac$,e, protect citizens, and prevent the nation from sliding into further lawlessness”.

Furthermore, the NEC noted with dismay, the growing incidence of unprofessional conduct by some Chief Press Secretaries (CPS) to State Governors, including hostility towards journalists and obstructing NUJ council leaders from accessing their governors.

“Such behaviour is unacceptable. The NEC reminds CPS that their role is to facilitate constructive engagement between government and the media, not to hinder it. State Governors are urged to strengthen relationships with NUJ council leaders and journalists, recognising them as partners in progress,” the communique said.

The National Executive Council of NUJ in session, called on Federal and State Governments to ensure proper and full implementation of the 70,000 minimum wage among media organisations in Nigeria as well as provide welfare packages for journalists and state governments to desist from unnecessary censorship of media organisations in their respective states.

The NEC urged both the Federal and State Governments to adopt a proactive approach and take decisive, well-coordinated measures to avert flood disasters.

“This includes strengthening early warning systems, clearing drainage channels, enforcing environmental regulations, and ensuring the timely relocation of residents in flood-prone and riverine areas.”

The union emphasised that preventive action is far more cost-effective than post-disaster relief and that protecting lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure must be treated as a national priority.