Governor of Benue State in the North Central geopolitical zone of the country, Samuel Ortom, has expressed the determination of the state government to revamp its media outfits and also partner with private media owners in the dissemination of information about the state.
Governor Ortom made the disclosure while addressing journalists after assessing facilities at Radio Benue and Benue State Television Corporation. He said the magnitude of their dilapidation was unacceptable.
The state’s chief executive also visited the site where the African Independent Television [AIT] is setting up an outfit in the state capital.
Governor Ortom decried the situation whereby enormous resources were expended on government owned media organizations without corresponding results saying his administration would reverse the trend and reposition them for optimal performance.
At Radio Benue, the Governor promised to ensure that the corporation got state of the art digital equipment particularly transmitters which had hitherto limited the reach of the station while at the Benue Television Corporation, he promised to look into the station’s request for additional N60 million to enable it commence transmission.
Governor Ortom particularly urged Radio Benue to be fair to all, professional and objective in its reportage of programmes and activities in the state and commended staff for being alive to their duties in spite of what he described as a harsh working environment.
In separate remarks after conducting the Governor round, the Director General of Radio Benue, Espei Ushe Uba, requested the Governor to procure state of the art facilities especially transmitters and standby generators in order to enhance the station’s effectiveness while the acting coordinator of Benue Television Corporation, Desmond Gondo, appealed for funds to commence transmission.
Governor Ortom visited the AIT site in North Bank where he held a meeting with community leaders and directed his Media and ICT Adviser, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, to arrange a meeting to conclude discussion on compensation so that the organization could install the equipment it had procured at the place.
He urged members of the community to secure the project which he said would give jobs to indigenes and publicize the activities of the government and people of the state.
The Governor also visited the Benue State Fertilizer Blending Plant in continuation of his visits to state government’s establishments during which he promised to study the proposal before him before leasing the company to a private investor.
Other establishments which he visited were the Enterpreneurship Development and Staff Development Centres as well as the Library Board headquarters.
In a related development, Governor Ortom disclosed that his administration would soon demand that revenue generating organizations render proper accounts to government.
He spoke when a delegation from Tombo community in Logo local government area led by Chief Medical Director of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Professor Orkurga Malu, paid him a courtesy call.
Governor Ortom stated that the economic downturn dictated that the states look inwards and beef up their internally generated revenue which required that organizations which generate revenue render accounts and make payments into the common purse.
According to him such organizations include the state teaching hospital adding that his administration would provide support for them to perform maximally.
He said he was aware of the challenges of the community which include insecurity, lack of critical infrastructure, as well as general underdevelopment.
Earlier, Professor Malu had listed incessant attacks resulting in the sacking of the entire community with the suspension of farming activities for two years and lack of motorable roads as the major problems of the community.
He lauded the appointments of prominent indigenes of Logo local government area into the state executive council and the caretaker committee and sought more of such.
