NUJ Bayelsa Faults Slow Pace of LG Development, Sets Up Committee to Probe Council Projects
By Chris Mark
The Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has decried the slow pace of development across the eight Local Government Areas of the state, despite the visible infrastructure drive at the state level.
Rising from its congress on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Yenagoa, the council said the underdevelopment at the grassroots level was undermining service delivery to residents.
To address the concern, the congress constituted a 5-man committee to interface with the eight LG chairmen. The committee is mandated to identify projects executed since the chairmen assumed office and to examine the immediate challenges confronting the councils.
The action comes as the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission, BYSIEC, has announced a fresh local government election cycle.
While faulting LG performance, the congress commended Governor Douye Diri for ongoing state infrastructure projects, noting that they have improved living conditions and stimulated economic activity in the state.
The council also restated its call for the comprehensive rehabilitation of internal roads in Yenagoa to improve connectivity within the state capital.
On social issues, the NUJ condemned the rising cases of abandoned newborns at refuse dumps and the increasing incidents of child kidnapping. It urged security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and called on government agencies, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to take coordinated action.
The union further expressed concern over the growing number of mentally ill persons roaming the streets of Yenagoa, which it linked to drug abuse. It demanded sustainable intervention programmes from health and drug control agencies.
The congress reaffirmed the NUJ’s commitment to ethical journalism and pledged to collaborate with government and other stakeholders to advance development, peace, and security in Bayelsa State.
The communiqué was signed by Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha, Chairman, and Comrade Aqua Akpuruku, Acting Secretary.
Communiqué Drafting Committee:
Comrade Eunice Nnachi – Chairman
Comrade Dennis Renner – Member
Comrade Beatrice Okotobei – Member
