Review MoUs With Host Communities, RSG Urges Oil Firms

The Rivers State Governor, has called on the oil companies operating in the state to review most of the Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) entered with host communities in order to meet modern standards.

The call was made by the Acting Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor, Mr Blessing Wikina during the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)/Mobil ICT Infrastructure For Journalists Initiative Awards yesterday in Port Harcourt.

Mr Wikina observed that most of the MoUs were outdated and do not reflect current practices in the industry, hence the need for immediate review.

He lauded the initiative by Mobil Unlimited and pledged the support of the Rivers State Government towards making journalists work effectively, especially in the area of information technology.

Responding, Representative of Mobil Unlimited, Mr Yemi Fakeyejo said the company embarked on the project in order to enhance the activities of journalists in the state.

Though the journalists contributed about 40 per cent to buy the laptops, he opined that the measure was taken so as to give them a sense of ownership and partnership.

Mr Fakeyejo commended the NUJ for coming up with the initiative, pointing out that the scheme had further cemented the relationship between the oil firm and journalists as partners to move the nation forward.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Omuma Local Government Area, Mr John Anucha stressed the need for the Rivers State chapter of NUJ to ensure that it owns a befitting secretariat.

Mr Anucha who decried the decrepit state of the NUJ secretariat said that the state council of NUJ should be a trail blazer for other chapters to emulate.

He was of the view that a permanent and befitting secretariat would enable journalists to function effectively and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.