Umuahia — Journalists in the country have been commended for their contributions to the growth of democracy and good governance.

The chairman, Umunneochi local government council of Abia state, Comrade Uche Oliver Egeonu, who made the commendation when he received the state executive council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abia state council, in his office, described journalism as an indispensible tool for the promotion of peace, stability and growth of any society.

Egeonu reiterated the desire of his council to partner with journalists in his efforts to provide the people with devidence of democracy and enjoined them not to relent in their duties.

The council boss, who announced donation of N500, 000 to the union to assist them in the forthcoming NUJ Press Week, disclosed that his administration inherited a debt of N400 million, pointing out that about N50 million had so far been paid.

He said that his administration had already completed a 16-room one- storey office complex, embarked on the construction of Umuelem-Achara-Lekwesi road and a multi-million naira electricity project for the people of Umuchieze, among others.

In his speech, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Hyacinth Okoli, disclosed that the union would, by January next year, embark on the inspection of projects executed by the various councils to ascertain their level of response to the peoples needs and urged the chairman not to relent in his bid to provide the people with the devidence of democracy.

In another development, the Quality Management Development Institute, Lagos, has honoured the Transition Committee Chairman of Isiukwuato local government council, High chief Ralph Ukoro, as the winner of the National Quality Environmental Friendly local government chairman of the year 2008.

Receiving the award, Ukoro thanked the Institute for recognising his modest efforts to tackle environmental degradation and assured that the on-going work at erosion sites at Aromiri Ukwu, Uturu, would be completed before the end of the year.

He disclosed that his administration had already tackled the Ahaba Imeyi erosion site, completed a new multi-purpose hall, education authority office, embarked on electrification projects as well as renovated schools.