Ondo NUJ seeks action against roadside trading, indiscriminate parking of tricycles in Akure

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ondo State Council, has called on the Ondo State Government to address the increasing rate of  roadside trading and indiscriminate parking of vehicles in Akure.

This was part of the resolutions reached  during the Union’s January Congress held in Akure.

Ondo NUJ expressed concern over the flagrant display of goods along major roads, particularly from Arakale/NEPA to Oba Adesida roads. It said the action impedes free flow of traffic and public safety.

It therefore tasked the state government to establish designated parking spaces for tricycles and provide alternative market spaces for displaced traders occupying the roads.

In addition to this, the Congress discussed several other important issues affecting the state and its members. The Congress expressed concern that workers at Owena Press, the publisher of The Hope newspaper, are yet to be included in the newly approved N73,000 minimum wage for state workers.

It called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene and ensure that workers at the media outfit benefit from the new wage.

NUJ also raised alarms about the lack of implementation of the new minimum wage for federal media organisations such as NTA, FRCN, and NAN. It urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to monitor the federal implementation process to prevent irregularities in salary payments for federal media workers.

The Congress acknowledged the positive strides made by the new leadership of OSRC/Orange FM under CEO/DG, Mr. Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson. The Union encouraged him to continue the ongoing efforts to reposition the media group.

It congratulated Governor Aiyedatiwa for successfully conducting local government elections after several years. The Union urged the government to focus on infrastructure development at the grassroots level to improve the living conditions of the people.

The inconclusive teacher recruitment in Public Schools also came up for discussion.
Members raised concerns about the delay in the recruitment process for teachers in public primary and secondary schools. The Union urged the state government to conclude the recruitment process without further delays to prevent a collapse in the education sector.

On security, the Congress commended the new Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Olutokunbo Afolabi, for his “Safe Community” security initiative designed to resolve communal disputes and ensuring peaceful coexistence in Ondo communities.