ASABA, Delta State – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, has expressed concern over rising insecurity, illegal taxation, arbitrary school levies, weak enforcement of the anti-open grazing law, and other socio-economic challenges affecting the state.
The concerns were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the union’s monthly Congress held at the NUJ Press Centre, Asaba, on June 23, 2026.
The Congress, presided over by the State Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, deliberated extensively on critical issues bordering on governance, security, infrastructure, education, environmental management and public welfare.
Among its resolutions, the union condemned the proliferation of substandard and unauthorized billboards in major urban centres, including Asaba, Warri and Effurun, warning that such structures pose safety risks, distort urban planning and contribute to revenue losses.
The Congress called on the Delta State Signage and Advertisement Agency (DESAA) and other relevant authorities to intensify enforcement and ensure compliance with approved standards.
The journalists also expressed concern over the misuse of flyovers in Asaba, Warri and Effurun, which they said have been converted into makeshift parks and markets by tricycle operators and street traders.
While commending efforts by the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, to address the situation, the union urged government agencies to reclaim the facilities and enforce traffic regulations.
On security, Congress decried the increasing cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related violence and other criminal activities across the state, urging security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, community policing and stakeholder collaboration to protect lives and property.
The union also condemned the activities of illegal taskforce operators allegedly extorting motorists on federal roads, particularly in Udu Local Government Area, describing the practice as unconstitutional and harmful to commerce and investment.
It called for the immediate disbandment of such groups and prosecution of those involved.
Congress further lamented the poor implementation of resolutions reached at public summits, citing the recent Delta State Security Summit as an example. It urged government and stakeholders to establish clear timelines, monitoring mechanisms and accountability frameworks to ensure implementation of agreed resolutions.
The journalists also raised concerns over the harassment and extortion of traders and market women by individuals posing as revenue collectors, insisting that only duly authorised government agents should collect revenue through approved channels.
While commending the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, for exposing fake taskforce operators, Congress urged other councils to adopt similar measures.
On agriculture and food security, the union expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as weak enforcement of the Delta State Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Law, 2021, which prohibits open grazing.
It warned that continued violations of the law could worsen conflicts between farmers and herders and threaten food production across the state.
Congress also expressed concern over the influx of undocumented migrants into parts of the state, particularly Asaba, and called on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and security agencies to strengthen surveillance and intelligence gathering.
In the education sector, the union condemned reports of arbitrary and unauthorised levies imposed on students and parents in some public schools, including demands for desks and other infrastructure.
The Congress called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and urged authorities to make all approved school charges publicly available to prevent exploitation.
The union also urged the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to provide greater clarity on its operational procedures, accountability mechanisms and enforcement processes.
Congress further recommended the deployment of technology, including traffic cameras, to monitor traffic offenders and criticised the practice of using operational vehicles to obstruct motorists, warning that such actions could result in accidents and loss of lives.
The communiqué reaffirmed the commitment of the NUJ Delta State Council to promoting good governance, public accountability, security and sustainable development through constructive engagement with government and other stakeholders.
The communiqué was signed by the Chairman of the Communiqué Committee, Comrade Andy Emephia; Secretary of the Committee, Comrade Mrs. Chissy Awunor; committee member, Comrade Egufe Yafugborhi; and the Acting Secretary of the NUJ Delta State Council, Comrade Josephine Omodior.
