Benue State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Solomon Iorpev, has assured media practitioners of the state government’s commitment to revamping the three major state-owned media organisations.
Iorpev gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, during a courtesy visit to his office in Makurdi.
The commissioner acknowledged the deteriorating state of the media organisations, noting that the situation did not develop overnight. He, however, assured that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia would not abandon the institutions.
He observed that public expectations for immediate results often undermine patience with ongoing reforms, stressing the need to allow the government time to address the challenges facing the state media.
Iorpev disclosed that he was working with the Permanent Secretary and directors in the ministry to develop strategies to address the power supply challenges affecting Radio Benue.
He also revealed that the ministry had recently constituted the leadership of The Voice newspaper, adding that further interventions would follow.
The commissioner appealed to the NUJ to remain patient regarding commitments made to the union, assuring that the government remained attentive to the concerns raised.
On the issues of sub head numbers and way-in allowance, Iorpev hinted that he the ministry and the Head of Service are already in talks and that results concerning the said challenges will be seen shortly.
Earlier, the NUJ State Chairman, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, appealed to the government to address outstanding welfare and operational issues affecting media practitioners. These included the issuance of Sub head numbers to staff of The Voice newspaper, the payment of way-in allowances to some NUJ members, and the renovation promised by the government alongside the management of the union’s debt profile.
Veteran media practitioners who accompanied the NUJ delegation took turns to commend Governor Alia for appointing Iorpev as commissioner and expressed appreciation for the work done so far.
Those on the delegation included former General Manager of Harvest FM, Terzwungwe Wua; General Manager of Brothers FM, Eliagwu Abutu; former NUJ State Secretary, Emmanuel Agber; former NUJ Vice President, Zone D, Chris Atsaka and many others.
