Edo Government Opens up on ‘Plan to Demolish NUJ Building’
By Patrick Ahanor,Edo State
The Edo State Government has said it’s untrue concerning media reports that it planned to demolish the Edo State Council secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The leadership of NUJ had in a statement said: “Obaseki plans to make Edo Journalists homeless”.
The State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Chris Nehikare, who disclosed this in a statement said: “The report is unfortunate and highly misinforming”.
Nehikare stated that “there is no plan whatsoever to demolish the NUJ building nor build a museum on the NUJ site.
“The Edo state government is doing some initial survey and study work in connection with the preservation and protection of the walls and moats.
“The NUJ site borders some of the most visible sections of the walls and moats in the city, and archaeologists and specialist architects have visited areas around the moats with a view to determining how best to assist National Commission of Museums and with the preservation of the moats”.
The Commissioner further affirmed that “Edo State government is working with institutions like the NCMM and EMOWAA who are interested in improving our systems of heritage management.
“They are developing a comprehensive programme of research, conservation management and public education centred on these monuments
“Our goal is to find ways to protect moats and walls, and also to consider ways to highlight the moats to encourage tourism and accessibility.
“It can be rightly stated that the media practitioners have not only enjoyed a cordial working relationship with our government, but have enjoyed an unfettered rein of reportage. In line with government’s tradition of presenting the facts of all matters for public scrutiny and understanding”,the Commissioner concluded.
