Report reaching Ibom Telegraph news desk has it that the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Ben Bruce, is under fire over his demand for the sale of federal government-owned organizations.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in its communiqué issued after their National Executive Council Meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state and signed by NUJ’s National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman asked the Senator to tender an unreserved apology to the Union.
According to the report, the NUJ among other resolutions also called for judicious use of bailout funds given to the state governments for the payment of salaries and emoluments of the state workers.
The communiqué said, “NEC condemns the utterances of Senator Ben Murray Bruce, who had called for the sale of FRCN, NTA, VON and other federal media houses and demands an unreserved apology from the Senator. NEC expresses worry over the continued owing of workers’ salaries, pensions and gratuities by various state governments spanning many months and calls on the affected governors to clear these salaries especially to media workers. The meeting expresses regret over the continuing clashes between farmers and herdsmen leadng to loss of life, livestock and properties.”
“NEC appeals to the federal and state governments to fund adequately the Federal Fire Service and State Fire Services to enable them respond to emergencies especially during this harmattan season,” the statement concluded.