Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said that Rivers State Government has released one hundred percent of the funds for the construction of the Rivers State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat to the Ministry of Information and to enhance its completion within Eight (8) Weeks.
The Governor made the revelation during the ground breaking ceremony of the long awaited NUJ Secretariat Complex which has been finally laid to rest, Wednesday.
Governor Amaechi contended that if Rivers State Lodge/Liason Office in Abuja was completed within 4 to 6 months, nothing could hinder the completion of the NUJ Secretariat within 7 to 8 weeks as against the 44 weeks proposed by the Information and Communication Commissioner, Ibim Semenitari.
It would be recalled the Rivers State government under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has promised to build a befitting edifice for the Rivers Council of the NUJ over three years ago.
Prior to the memorable ground breaking ceremony, lots of criticisms have trailed the NUJ secretariat building from all quarters especially non journalists.
Performing the ground breaking ceremony, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi while apologizing to the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists for the delay of the project after his administration’s promise of building a befitting secretariat for the union, noted that the delay was as a result of his administration’s effort to ensure due process through the Public Procurement Agency which was ratified by the Rivers State House of Assembly, pointing out that hundred percent of the fund for the project has been paid to the Ministry of Information to enable early completion of the project within seven to eight weeks.
Gov. Amaechi who expressed the need for the training of journalists in the state noted that the project contains classroom for the training of journalists at the secretariat and enjoined journalists to monitor the projects.
Gov. Amaechi also expressed worry over the kidnapped of Mr Anthony Akatakpo alias Akas Baba and others who were kidnapped by unknown gunmen, noted that his administration had chased out the hoodlums and militants out of the state, saying that they were brought back by those he described as Abuja politicians who want to become governor in 2015 after his tenure and blamed journalists for not writing against them and urged journalists to assist his administration to chase criminals out of the state.
Earlier in his speech the National Chairman of the Nigeria Union of journalists Mallam Garuba Mohammed who expressed gratitude to God for the actualization of the project noted that the Rivers Council of NUJ Secretariat building will be the best in the Federation on its completion.
According to him, “I have gone to all the state secretariats of the NUJ including Bayelsa, Kano among others, none can be compared with the Rivers NUJ Secretariat”.
The national President of NUJ while commending Gov. Amaechi for fulfilling his promise appealed to him not to leave the building of the project in the hands of Ministry of Information rather should set a three man committee that would comprise journalists in the state that would assist the ministry in monitoring the project.
Similarly, the National chairman of RATAWO, Mr. Abel while commending Amaechi for being a man of his words noted that Gov. Amaechi has convinced the world that he knows what he was doing adding that with the building of NUJ Secretariat. Amaechi has created a legacy in the history of Nigeria Union of Journalists.
He described Amaechi as a focus and governor who always opt for high test for his people.
Comrade Victor Agoziobu the chairman of Nigeria Guild of Editors noted that the ceremony portrayed that the press and the government cannot be separated pointing out that there is no development taking place in the world that cannot be without communication.
The NGE Chairman who noted that the project contain e-library expressed hope that the project will enhance the work of journalists in the state.
In their separate speeches Commissioner of Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Seminitari, NUJ Chairman R/S chapter Opaka Dokubo who recalled that the journey of the project started in 2010, but the breaking of the ground ceremony kicked off Wednesday 19th March, 2014 revealed that the secretariat complex contained e-library, Mini Conference Hall in both second and first floors, executive conference, canteen, and accommodation for visitors stressed that the project will enhance journalism practice in the state. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor & Pius Dukor
