The Plateau State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed concern over the country's impending food crisis, as well as the increasing costs of cereals, cooking gas, and other household goods.
The Union encouraged the government at all levels to take urgent action to improve the situation.
The NUJ further urged members of the Plateau State House of Assembly to set aside their personal interests and handle the existing problem in the Assembly "in accordance with the Federal Republic of Nigeria's Constitution and in the benefit of the State."
This was stated in a communiqué published following the Council's Congress in Jos, the State Capital, and signed by the Secretary, Comrade Peter Amine.
"Council also noticed with concern the high cost of living in the nation, as well as the increasing price of cooking gas, as well as the artificial fuel shortage, and urged on the government to take immediate actions to arrest the situation," it says.
"The Council criticized the coming food crisis in the nation, as well as the ongoing rise in food costs in the market, making life tough and miserable for residents."
"The NUJ urged the government to implement a pricing control system to ensure affordability and accessibility."
"Food accessible to the general populace."
The NUJ remarked of the present leadership issue in the Plateau State House of Assembly, "Council witnessed with dismay the leadership fight in the Plateau State House of Assembly, which has put the State in a terrible light."
The State House of Assembly has been in trouble since the claimed impeachment of Abok Ayuba from his post as Speaker by 8 members three weeks ago, when Yakubu Sanda was declared the new Speaker.
"The Council advised lawmakers to set aside their personal interests and solve the issues in accordance with the Federal Republic of Nigeria's Constitution and in the benefit of the State," the Union stated.
"Council noted with concern the adamant nature of some tricycle riders, also known as Keke Napep, who defy the 6pm curfew imposed by the Plateau State Government, thereby constituting traffic nuisance and security risk at night," it said of the violation of the curfew imposed on tricycle riders in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.
"The Council requests that law enforcement officials focus their searchlight on these trike riders in order to bring them to justice."
"With dismay, Council saw the indiscriminate usage of NUJ/PRESS badges by commercial drivers and non-members."
"The Council appealed to the FRSC, the Police, and other law enforcement authorities to ensure that anybody carrying NUJ/PRESS stickers provides his/her NUJ identity card as well as that of his workplace as a form of identification."
"If the individual fails to do so, he or she shall be detained for impersonation and punished in accordance with the law."
"The Council also raised concern over the attitude of certain overzealous security officials who show disrespect for journalists while carrying out their professional duties."
"The Council asks for collaboration between media and security personnel in the sake of Plateau and Nigeria's development."
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