By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, has raised serious concerns over the rising cost of rentable accommodation, deteriorating healthcare services and the poor state of key roads in parts of Delta State, urging the state government to urgently address the challenges to ease the hardship faced by residents.
The concerns were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Chapel’s congress held on February 10, 2026, where journalists also spoke on preparations for the 2027 general elections, welfare of media practitioners and broader socio-economic issues affecting residents of the state.
While acknowledging ongoing infrastructural projects by the Delta State Government, the NUJ said the unchecked activities of house agents and arbitrary rent increases by landlords had worsened living conditions for many residents, particularly journalists and other low-income earners.
The communiqué, signed by members of the Communiqué Drafting Committee chaired by Chido Okafor, with Elo Edremoda as Secretary and Onyekachukwu Meluwa and Samuel Ogude as members, called on the state government to intervene in the housing sector by setting up a regulatory committee to curb exploitative rent practices. It recommended the adoption of a flexible rent payment system similar to that of Lagos State, where tenants are allowed to pay rents in instalments of at least six months.
On healthcare delivery, the journalists expressed deep concern over the poor condition of general hospitals across the state, noting that many facilities lacked basic equipment needed to provide quality medical services.
The communiqué specifically highlighted the deplorable state of the Dentistry Department at the Ughelli General Hospital, where dental chairs and tables were reportedly broken, urging the Commissioner for Health to conduct an inspection tour of health facilities to address existing gaps.
The Chapel also drew attention to the poor state of several roads in the state, including the Isaba–Otutuama Road, the Ophorigbala–Ighwurogu axis in Ughelli South Local Government Area and roads in Idjerhe community of Ethiope West Local Government Area.
It made a special appeal for the urgent repair of Eburu Street in the Okumagba Layout, Warri, where the Union’s new Chapel Secretariat is located, and raised concerns over inadequate street lighting along Okumagba Avenue.
Despite the challenges, the journalists commended the Delta State Government, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, for ongoing road and bridge projects, including flyovers at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Junction, DSC Roundabout and Enerhen Junction, as well as the newly flagged-off flyover project at the Otowodo axis in Ughelli.
As the 2027 general elections approach, the Chapel called on the state government and relevant stakeholders to ensure a level playing field for all political actors, stressing the importance of real-time electronic transmission of election results to enhance transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
The NUJ Warri Chapel also expressed sympathy to the family of its late member, Mr Godwin Brotu, as well as to Mr Sunny Ariegue over the death of his mother, Mrs Office Christiana Ukerume, and Mrs Njideka Igbani on the passing of her father, Hon. Reuben Chukwudiebele Agba.