The Abia State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has advised the Abia State government to pressurize the Federal government to expedite action on the reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Road.

This is even as the journalists appealed to the Abia State government to urgently carry out palliative works on the road, especially from Umuahia to Ikot-Ekpene portion, which has become a nightmare to motorists.

This was contained in a 12-point communique released after a monthly Congress held at NUJ press centre Umuahia.

The communique, which was signed by acting Chairman, Chidi Asonye and Ikechuckwu Onuegbu, Secretary, also called for encouragement of contractors handling Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia road, especially the Alayi section which is in deplorable condition.

Congress expressed sadness with the resurging crime rates and other social vices in the State, especially within the urban areas of Umuahia and Aba and pleaded with the State government to intensify its collaborative approach with security agencies to beef up security in the state, especially in view of the forthcoming yuletide.

NUJ which commended the State government for lighting up World Bank Housing estate in Umuahia, said that the project has contributed in checking criminal activities in the area.

The union commended the State government for restoring full payment of pensions but appealed to Governor Alex Otti to listen to the cries of the retirees for the review of the Memoranda of Agreement (MoA) his administration signed with them.

Congress also urged the state government to urgently look into the plight of other retirees and disengaged public and civil servants across the State, with a view to paying them their benefits.

The union further called upon Abia State government to equip the Abia State Fire Service with more fire fighting machines, even as it urged citizens to be careful with inflammatory objects and electrical appliances.