By Onyekachukwu Utebor WARRI
The Warri Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Warri, Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency (WUEDA) have agreed to deepen collaboration on development reporting, with emphasis on transparency, accountability and quality infrastructure delivery.
The understanding was reached on Monday when the newly inaugurated chapel executives paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of WUEDA, Hon. Prince Okakuro Godwin Eguriase Ejinyere, at the agency’s headquarters within the Delta State Development and Property Authority (DDPA), Effurun.
Chairman of the chapel, Comrade Akpokona Omafuaire, said the journalists were ready to give professional coverage to WUEDA’s intervention projects, particularly in drainage construction, road development and other infrastructure initiatives across Warri, Uvwie and neighbouring areas.
He said the media had a responsibility not only to report government projects but also to provide the public with credible information on their implementation and impact.
Omafuaire described WUEDA as a performing interventionist agency whose activities had become increasingly visible in the area, adding that the chapel would continue to uphold professional standards in reporting its interventions.
Also speaking, former Chairman of the Delta State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, commended Ejinyere and his engineering team for their efforts, but called for sustained monitoring and supervision of projects.
According to him, effective supervision was necessary to ensure that contractors complied with specifications and delivered value for public funds.
The immediate past Chairman of the chapel, Comrade Okakuro Okies Victor Okpomor, also urged WUEDA to maintain close supervision of ongoing projects to guarantee their quality and durability.
Responding, Ejinyere thanked the journalists for the visit and described their observations and constructive comments as valuable to the agency.
He assured them that WUEDA would continue to insist on quality infrastructure and compliance with approved engineering specifications by contractors handling its projects.
The Director-General, however, charged journalists to properly investigate and verify allegations before publication, warning that inaccurate reports and unverified claims could mislead the public, damage institutional reputation and fuel misinformation.
Ejinyere urged journalists to see themselves as partners in development and use their platforms to educate the public, highlight genuine challenges and promote constructive engagement between government agencies and citizens.
He said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori remained committed to restoring the lost glory of Warri, Uvwie and their immediate surroundings, adding that WUEDA’s interventions formed part of the administration’s efforts to address critical infrastructure challenges in the Oil City.
He further urged journalists to adopt developmental reporting by focusing on the objectives, implementation, challenges and impact of projects on residents.
Members of the new NUJ executive at the meeting included the Vice Chairman, Comrade Francis Sadhere; Secretary, Comrade Edeki Igafe; Assistant Secretary, Comrade Samuel Ogude; Treasurer, Comrade Onyekachukwu Meluwa; Financial Secretary, Comrade Success Okuchemiya; and Auditor, Comrade Odeya Ogbetuo.
Also present were the immediate past Chairman of the chapel, Comrade Okies Victor Okpomor; former Chairman of the Delta State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu; WUEDA’s Director of Administration and Finance, Ochuko Mofe-Ojeke; and Chief Accountant, Mrs Roseline Okorigba.
The engagement underscored the importance of a constructive relationship between the media and development agencies, particularly in ensuring that infrastructure projects are properly executed and their benefits reach the people.
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