The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has expressed concern over the rising cost of telecommunications and internet data in the country.
Tte union, in a communiqué issued after its congress in Abuja, described the situation as a heavy financial burden on citizens.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the Chairman of the Communiqué Committee, Odigie Kelvin, along with committee members Kehinde Ayanfe and Ebriku John.
The union called on the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to investigate current telecommunications billing practices and introduce measures that ensured affordability and consumer protection.
DAILY POST reports that the Council also , Nyesom Wike, to address the dilapidated state of infrastructure at its Secretariat.
The union lamented the poor condition of the facility currently used for its congresses, describing it as unfit for a professional body of journalists operating in the nation’s capital.
It called on Wike to come to the union’s aid in completing the long-delayed NUJ Pentagon project, a building envisioned as a landmark edifice for journalists in Abuja.
“The current state of our Secretariat is appalling. We are earnestly appealing to the Minister to undertake a facility tour and see for himself the infrastructural decay we contend with.
“We believe that under his leadership, the Secretariat and Pentagon project can finally be transformed into a lasting legacy,”; the communiqué stated.
The union called for improved electricity supply in the FCT, encouraging the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, to enhance its efficiency and service delivery to better support residents and businesses.
It noted that poor electricity supply was hampering productivity and negatively impacting quality of life.
The NUJ further expressed concern over the increasing rate of maternal mortality, linking it to worsening economic conditions and rising inflation.
The union urged the Federal Government to provide free maternal healthcare services including prenatal, antenatal, and postnatal care to alleviate the burden on expectant mothers and reduce preventable deaths.
Reaffirming its commitment to advocating for the welfare of journalists and the general public, the union pledged continued engagement with relevant authorities to address these pressing challenges.
