…Decries Soaring Cost of Living, Poor Power Supply, High Data Tariffs, Rising Maternal Mortality
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has called on the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to urgently address the deteriorating infrastructure at the Council’s Secretariat in Utako, Abuja.
This appeal was a key resolution at the Council’s second Congress held on Saturday in Abuja Delegates expressed deep concern over the dilapidated condition of the facility currently used for Congress activities, describing it as unsuitable for a professional body operating in the heart of the nation’s capital.
The Congress urged the Minister—widely known as “Mr. Project” for his visible development initiatives across the FCT—to extend similar attention to the NUJ Secretariat. It also appealed for his intervention in the long-stalled NUJ Pentagon project, envisioned as a landmark structure to serve the needs of journalists in Abuja.
“The current state of our Secretariat is deplorable. We strongly urge the Honourable Minister to visit the facility and witness firsthand the infrastructural decay. We are confident that under his leadership, the Secretariat and the Pentagon project can be transformed into lasting legacies,” the Congress stated.
Beyond infrastructure concerns, the NUJ FCT Council raised alarm over broader socio-economic challenges facing residents of the FCT and Nigerians at large.
The Congress condemned the persistent electricity outages across Abuja, blaming the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for inefficiency and poor service delivery. It noted that the unreliable power supply continues to cripple productivity and degrade living standards.
Delegates also expressed frustration over the escalating costs of telecommunications and internet data, describing the situation as a severe burden on already struggling citizens. The Union urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to investigate pricing practices and implement reforms to promote affordability and consumer protection.
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Furthermore, the Congress voiced serious concern over the rising maternal mortality rate, which it linked to worsening economic hardship and inflation. It called on the Federal Government to introduce free maternal healthcare—including pre-natal, ante-natal, and post-natal services—to reduce preventable deaths and ease the burden on expectant mothers.
Reaffirming its commitment to advocacy, the NUJ FCT Council pledged to continue engaging relevant authorities to improve the welfare of journalists and promote policies that benefit the wider public.
