Subsidy Removal: NUJ calls for subsidised transport fare
The Anambra State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has appealed to the federal, state, and local governments to make available adequate government-owned transport facilities, with reduced fares, to cushion the effects of an increase in petrol pump prices.
Odogwu, chairman of the council, said this on Monday in Enugu, while reacting to the transport difficulties being faced by Nigerians due to an increase in the pump price of petrol.
“The public transportation facilities will convey workers, who bear the direct brunt of hike in fuel pump price, to and from work,” Dr Emeka
He also lamented that journalists, along with other Nigerians, were finding it difficult to transport themselves to their workplaces, while urging public officeholders to see journalists as partners in progress rather than rivals and recognise them as members of the fourth estate of the realm.
“The NUJ is appealing to the state government to apply human face while deliberating on the issue of Anambra Newspaper and Printing Corporation (publishers of the National Light newspaper), considering its historical and symbolic value to the state and workers.
“We frown at the rumours of shutting down National Light, and ask the state government to reconsider its intention; journalists are prime for any society to thrive,” he said.
He also urged commercial motorists and motorcyclists to shun reckless driving and appealed to traffic managers to intensify efforts towards educating road users on safety.
“The NUJ commends Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for embarking on massive road construction and rehabilitation; the importance of a good road network cannot be over-emphasised,” he added.
NAN
