Amaechi Promises More Funding For The Tide Newspapers

The Rivers State Government says it would ensure adequate funding of state media organisations to enable them discharge their responsibilities.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi who stated this yesterday during a stakeholders meeting in Port Harcourt, said the government would release all funds approved for the state newspaper corporation publishers of The Tide group of newspapers.

Governor Amaechi, said he would look at the 2009 budget with a view to directing the release of all funds meant for The Tide newspaper.

He urged the establishment not to confine itself to publishing government stories alone but to compete favourably with other national dailies.

The governor wondered why the newspaper cannot engage in constructive criticism and attract more readership rather than the present approach where the public see it as a government newspaper.

The state chief executive also promised to refurbish the government printing press to enable it undertake the printing of government jobs as against the present situation where government classified document are printed outside.

On the acquisition of land for the building of model secondary schools, governor Amaechi said the communities should donate lands for the project, noting that his administration is not embarking on any memorandum of understanding with any community.

He used the opportunity to warn communities to desist from making demands on any government contractors as they have been directed not to pay any kobo to them in course of carrying out the projects that would improve their lives.

Rivers State Commissioner for Education Barr Alice Nemi (left) listening to the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jean-Michel Dumond during the French National Day celebration in Port Harcourt organised by Total Nig Ltd, on Sunday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga