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YENAGOA – The Chairman and members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Committee on Information have commended Gov. Douye Diri for the construction and equipping of the Ernest Ikoli Media Complex, Ekeki, describing the facilities as among the best in the country.
The Chairman of the Committee, and member representing Sagbama Constituency III, Hon. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, gave the commendation at the weekend during an oversight visit to the complex.
Ndiomu-Brown said the visit was to assess first-hand the government’s investment in the media sector, adding that the installed equipment can compete favourably with any radio station, television station or printing press in the nation.
“What we have seen here today is quite interesting. It is not just about building infrastructure, but about impacting the people. It is thoughtful of His Excellency. We commend Governor Douye Diri for investing in the media sector at a time the state is in search of the right type of industry,” she said.
She also lauded the purpose-built design of the complex, noting that the newly acquired printing press would be installed within the main building and not in an annex.
“It shows that the sector was properly planned. I commend His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, his Prosperity Team and the Commissioner for Information for practicalising policies and visions in this sector.
“The next budget will address challenges such as upgrading protection systems for transmission to ensure 24-hour broadcast. This is another level that is taking us higher. I pray that everything needed to achieve this will be granted to the Commissioner and her team who are ready to commence work,” she added.
Commenting on the New Waves Newspaper, the Committee Chairman noted that the online edition remains functional and expressed optimism that the new printing press would boost regular print production and circulation.
In his remarks, lawmaker representing Nembe Constituency 11, Hon. Irigha Brigidi, said he was impressed with the upgrade.
“This is my first time here, and I am very impressed. I want to commend the Prosperity Government, the Commissioner and her team. Bayelsa is really moving forward,” he said.
Also speaking, lawmaker representing Ekeremor Constituency 11, Hon. Mitin Living, described the tour as revealing, particularly the upgrade at the Niger Delta Television, NDTV, and the new printing machinery.
Earlier, the Commissioner appreciated Governor Diri for equipping the state-owned media houses and providing the needed support for them to thrive.
She equally thanked the lawmakers for the visit and said work was ongoing to ensure the Bayelsa State Printing Press becomes fully operational in the next couple of months.
“Some of the equipment we have here, as the engineer said, is one of the best in the country. Our TV station is the same. For the printing equipment, in the whole of Nigeria, it is only Lagos State that has similar equipment,” she said.
According to her, the printing equipment is already on the ground, adding that pre-installation, installation, and post-installation training would be conducted to build local capacity.
She noted that women have risen to head key departments in the ministry and its agencies.
The oversight also spotlighted operational challenges. At the Bayelsa State Newspaper Corporation, BSNC, publishers of New Waves, Editor-in-Chief, Miss Peace Sinclair, conducted the entourage round the Newsroom and the ICT Unit, which she described as “the engine of the newspaper.”
She lamented that the corporation has only one experienced computer operator and one functioning workstation, which she said is grossly inadequate.
She called for the recruitment of experienced staff writers to address the shortage of reporters and the procurement of a professional camera for quality photo production.
Responding, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, said about 83 newly employed civil servants were posted to the ministry and expressed confidence that with training and retraining, those deployed to New Waves would acquire the requisite skills.
She warned that provisions of the Civil Service Rules on dismissal would be invoked against truant employees.
The Commissioner also offered an olive branch to casual staff writers presented to her, some of whom had served for over 10 years, saying she would liaise with relevant authorities to address their exclusion from the last employment exercise, as the newspaper is classified as an agency.
She disclosed that she has new professional-grade cameras in her office and would make one available to the newspaper, and urged the General Overseer, Mrs. Ruth Gwegwe, to liaise with her office to finalize arrangements agreed during the visit.
She advised the management of the BSNC to make written application for all outstanding issues, assuring that they would be addressed to keep the government newspaper running smoothly.
At the broadcast stations, the inspection revealed threats to operations, including dampness in Radio Bayelsa studios and faulty amplifiers on the 10kW transmitters. Engineers estimated the cost of repairs and upgrades at N318 million, with a memo already before the governor awaiting approval.
The committee assured that it would present its findings to the House and support efforts to reposition the sector for optimal service delivery.
The oversight began with an inspection of the Commissioner’s office at the Ministry of Information, Ovom, before proceeding to the Ernest Ikoli Media Complex.
Member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency I, Hon. Werinipre Pamo, was also part of the visit.
The lawmakers were conducted round the facilities by the Acting General Manager of Radio Bayelsa, Mrs. Grace Peletri; Acting General Manager of NDTV, Mrs. Enato Isukul Duba, and the General Overseer of BSNC, Mrs. Ruth Gwegwe.
