The Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has issued a hard-hitting communiqué after its Congress meeting held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre in Yenagoa.
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Following extensive deliberations, the Congress resolved as follows:
The NUJ expressed grave concern over the persistent epileptic power situation in Bayelsa State, blaming the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) for what it described as a public emergency. Members condemned the exorbitant estimated billing system, noting that consumers are being overcharged despite the poor supply of electricity.
The Union also decried alleged sharp practices by PHEDC officials, including the use of multiple unofficial accounts for bill collection and the failure to provide prepaid meters to customers. They further faulted what they described as the suspicious expiration of meters issued to a few consumers.
In one of its strongest positions, Congress demanded that PHEDC pay ₦600 billion as compensation to residents, business owners and the Bayelsa State Government. The demand covers the cost of poor electricity supply, psychological stress, economic losses, and the burden citizens and the government have borne in purchasing and maintaining electricity infrastructure such as transformers, wires, towers, feeders and related components.
The Congress, however, commended the Bayelsa State Government under Governor Douye Diri for the ongoing Yenagoa Independent Power Plant project, which is expected to deliver uninterrupted electricity with the installation of 60-megawatt gas turbines from December 2025.
On security, the Union praised the Bayelsa State Police Command, other security agencies and the State Government for ongoing efforts to curb crime, including arrests of suspects involved in kidnapping, murder and cult-related violence. It, however, urged security operatives at the federal, state and local levels to intensify efforts in protecting citizens and their property.
The NUJ also announced that preparations are in top gear for the 2025 Press Week of the Bayelsa State Council, scheduled for October 20–26. Members were encouraged to support the organizing committee to ensure a successful event.
The Union congratulated Nigerians, the Federal Government, the Bayelsa State Government and the eight local government councils in the state on the 65th Independence anniversary of Nigeria and the 29th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State.
Finally, the Congress called on all tiers of government to do more to cushion the harsh economic realities affecting citizens. It urged authorities to adopt concrete measures to curb inflation, reduce the cost of living and ease rising financial hardship.
The communiqué was signed by Alambo Datonye Fred (Chairman, Drafting Committee), Chinyere Nikade (Secretary) and Jonathan Jerry (Member) on September 25, 2025.
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