Members and executive council of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, Lagos Council have called on governments at all levels to come to terms with several economic issues as it affects Lagosians and Nigerians with the aim of finding lasting solutions to them.
In a communique released at the end of the union’s monthly congress held on Saturday, August 17, NUJ urged the authorities to among others, stem the rising price of petroleum products and the antecedent crises it’s creating. As a first step, the congress call on the Lagos State government to ensure compliance with the 25% slash in public transportation fares of its BRT buses.
There was also a unanimous call to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu‘s administration to include journalists in the state Housing Mortgage Scheme.
The communique was signed by the chairman of NUJ Lagos Council, Comrade Adeleye Ajayi and the secretary, Comrade Tunde Olalere.
Below is the full statement:
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE CONGRESS OF THE NUJ LAGOS COUNCIL HELD ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2024, AT THE NUJ PRESS CENTRE, IKEJA.
The Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Council, held on 17th August, 2024 at the Ladi Lawal Press Centre, Ikeja, Lagos State, was well attended by members of the Council.
At the end of the Congress, the Council resolved that several issues affecting the well being of Lagosians should as a matter of urgency be given attention by the Lagos State Government.
That:
1. The re-emergence of long queues at the various fuel stations in the state and the country calls for concern especially as the price of petrol has risen to N850 per litre in some filling stations in Lagos State. The Union appeals to the government to take urgent steps to ensure price control and availability of the product.
2. The Union appeals to the Lagos State Government to revisit the ban on commercial motorcycle riding to create means of livelihood for the poor especially at this period of economic downturn.
3. The Union calls on Lagos State Government to activate its agencies responsible for the enforcement of building laws to do the needful and put an end to the frequent incidents of building collapse in the state
4. The Union says Lagos State Government should revisit and ensure compliance with the 25% slash in public transportation fares of its commercial buses and other regulated transport services earlier promised as a way to cushion the effects of hardship on residents
5. The Union calls for inclusion of journalists in the State Government Housing Mortgage Scheme following the commissioning of a new housing estate in Ikorodu by the Lagos State Government.
Communiqué drafted by::
Mrs Alaba Igbaroola
Mr Gboyega Oni
Mr Aigboje Lucky Paul