Lawmaker task journalists to scrutinise state budgets, as Odogwu wins re-election to lead NUJ state Council
PAMELA EBOH
A Member representing Ogbaru Constituency at the green Chambers of National Assembly, Hon Afam Ogene have tasked journalists to hold government at all levels accountable in budget implementation, saying that most governors run a closed budget that do not contain specific amounts appropriate for specified project.
He stated this at the end of the union’s triennial delegate conference held at the Godwin Ezeemo Int’l Press Centre, Awka, Anambra State on Friday.
According to him, the budget estimates of state governments contain mainly sectoral allocations without details of the various projects earmarked for implementation and the amount, unlike the national budget.
Ogene who occupies the position of the Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy stressed that interrogation of budgets of state governments by journalists will lead to proper accountability.
He said, “It is disheartening that some state lawmakers do not know the details of the state budget they approve for the governor to implement,” Ogene stated.
"Investigative journalism is dwindling. Journalists should sit up and, be alive to their responsibilities as the watchdog of the society.
Meanwhile, a member of the Correspondent Chapel, Comrade Emeka Odogwu has been re–elected to lead state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State chapter for a second term after polling overwhelming 173 votes to defeat his former vice-chairman and only challenger, Comrade Ngozi Obileri, who polled only 40 votes.
Comrade Beatrice Onuchukwu-Ekwueme of the Pointer Newspapers emerged vice-chairman, while Dr. Okechukwu Onuegbu of Blue-print Newspaper, was elected Secretary.
In his speech after the swearing in of the new executive, Odogwu particularly thanked the state governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo; commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor; Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu for rejecting the pressure to interfer in the council election.
He promised to work hard to uplift the council to greater heights and urged his co-contestant and other members of the council to unite and work for the progress of the council and improved members’ welfare