By Our Correspondent
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, has commended the Delta State Government for ongoing infrastructural development across the state, while expressing concerns over the state of healthcare services, road conditions and rising house rents.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Chapel’s Congress held on February 10, 2026.
The Chapel applauded Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for what it described as sustained efforts in road construction and rehabilitation across Delta State.
It noted with particular interest the ongoing construction of flyovers and bridges at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Junction, DSC Roundabout and Enerhen Junction in Warri and Effurun, stating that the projects would significantly ease traffic congestion and boost socio-economic activities.
The union also lauded the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a flyover at the Otowodo axis in Ughelli, as well as plans for additional bridges in other parts of the state.
However, the Chapel raised serious concerns about the deteriorating condition of healthcare services in the state, pointing out that many general hospitals lack adequate facilities to effectively attend to patients.
It expressed particular worry over the poor state of the Dentistry Department at Ughelli General Hospital, where dental chairs and tables were reported to be broken and in urgent need of replacement.
The Congress urged the Commissioner for Health to undertake an inspection tour of health facilities across the state to address the identified deficiencies.
On the state of roads, the Chapel decried the poor condition of several roads, including the Isaba–Otutuama Road, the Ophorigbala–Ighwurogu axis in Ughelli South Local Government Area, and roads in Idjerhe, Ethiope West Local Government Area.
It made a special appeal to Governor Oborevwori to facilitate the urgent repair of Eburu Road in Okumagba Layout, where the Union’s new Chapel Secretariat is located.
The Chapel also drew attention to what it described as exploitative practices by house agents, which it said have led to arbitrary rent increases, sometimes on a yearly or even monthly basis. It called on the state government to intervene in the housing sector by setting up a committee to review rent practices and ease the burden on residents.
The union urged the government to emulate the Lagos State model, where regular engagements between government and landlords have led to more flexible rent payment systems, allowing tenants to pay for a minimum of six months depending on their capacity.
As the 2027 general elections approach, the Chapel called on the state government to ensure a level playing field for all political actors. It advocated for the real-time electronic transmission of election results, noting that the process enjoys widespread public acceptance and is regarded as a safeguard for credible elections.
The Congress also commiserated with the family of the late Godwin Brotu, a member of the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel. It further extended condolences to Mr. Sunny Ariegue over the passing of his mother, Mrs. Office Christiana Ukerume, and to Mrs. Njideka Igbani on the demise of her father, Hon. Reuben Chukwudiebele Agba.
The communiqué was signed by the Communiqué Drafting Committee, comprising Chido Okafor as Chairman, Elo Edremoda as Secretary, and Samuel Ogude and Onyeka Meluwa as members.
Below is a copy of the communique
COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE CONGRESS OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), WARRI CORRESPONDENTS’ CHAPEL,
Date: 10th February, 2026
1. Infrastructural development
The Chapel commended the Delta State Government, ably led by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for its sustained efforts in the construction and rehabilitation of roads across the state.The Chapel noted with particular interest, the ongoing construction of flyovers/bridges at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Junction, DSC Roundabout, and Enerhen Junction in Warri and Effurun. These projects will significantly ease traffic congestion and enhance socio-economic activities within the state.The Chapel lauded the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a flyover/bridge at the Otowodo axis in Ughelli, as well as plans for the construction of other bridges in other parts of the state.
2. HealthcareWhile commending the state government for these landmark infrastructural projects, the Chapel expressed serious concern over the deteriorating conditions of healthcare services in the state. Many general hospitals lacked the requisite facilities to adequately attend to patients.Of particular concern is the poor condition of the Dentistry Department at the Ughelli General Hospital, and other health centres where dental chairs and tables are broken and urgently require attention. The Chapel urged the Commissioner for Health to tour the Heath facilities across the state to address the inadequacies therein.
3. State of roads in Delta StateThe Chapel is equally worried by the poor state of several roads across the state. Notable among them are the Isaba–Otutuama Road, Ophorigbala–Ighwurogu axis in Ughelli South Local Government Area, and Idjerhe Roads in Ethiope West Local Government Area. The Chapel specially appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, through the relevant agencies or local government authorities, for the urgent repair of Eburu Road in the Okumagba Layout, where the Union’s new Chapel Secretariat is currently located.
4. High cost of rentable accommodation in the stateAnother issue of urgent concern in the state is the exploitative practices of most house agents, whose actions/activities have compelled landlords to increase rents arbitrarily—sometimes yearly and, in extreme cases, monthly—thereby worsening the hardship faced by residents.The Chapel, therefore appealed to the Delta State Government to intervene in the housing sector by setting up a committee to look into the exploitative rent practices, with a view to alleviating the burden of the people. We urge the government to emulate the Lagos State model, where government and landlords meet often to create rent payment system that is pliable where tenants are permitted to pay house rent for a minimum of six months depending on their capacity.
5. 2027 ElectionsAs the 2027 general elections draw near, the Chapel called on the state government to ensure a level playing field for all political actors. In the spirit of transparency and public trust, we advocate for the real-time electronic transmission of election results, a process that has gained widespread public acceptance and is widely regarded as a safeguard for credible elections.
6. Deceased colleaguesThe Chapel commiserated with the family of the late Godwin Brotu, who until his demise was a member of the NUJ, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel.Furthermore, the Chapel extends its condolences to Mr Sunny Ariegue over the passing of his mother, Mrs Office Christiana Ukerume and Mrs Njideka Igbani on the demise of her father, Hon. Reuben Chukwudiebele Agba.We pray that God grants the families of these departed, the fortitude to bear their irreparable losses.
Signed:Communiqué Drafting Committee
1. Chido Okafor – Chairman
2. Elo Edremoda – Secretary
3. Samuel Ogude – Member
4. Onyeka Meluwa – Member
