JBy PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, has urged the Federal Government to shift its focus from palliatives to agriculture ahead of the planned August 1st protest by Nigerian youths over hunger and the high cost of goods and services.
This advice was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the union’s monthly congress, held at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre in Calabar, presided over by Chairman Comrade Archibong Bassey.
The congress, which convened at 4 pm, discussed critical issues including the state of the union, state, and nation.
The executives were commended for their achievements within a short period, and it was voted that percentages due to chapels and the council be disbursed towards the end of the year.
After extensive deliberation, the congress resolved as follows:
– The congress commended the Federal and State Governments for palliatives distributed to organizations and groups, but appealed for transparency in the distribution process through collaboration with the media.
– It urged the Federal and State Governments to phase out palliative distribution and focus on food production.
– It expressed dismay over the surge of beggars in the metropolis, giving a negative image to the state, and called on relevant agencies to evacuate them.
– It joined the Federal and State Governments in appealing for dialogue as a preferred alternative to the planned protest.
– The congress, further, appealed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to resolve issues with Dangote Refinery in the interest of the masses.
