Digitization Of State Media Houses On Course -RSG

The Rivers State Government has assured that it would meet the deadline for the digitization of state-owned media houses.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Mr Sam Woka, who stated this during a courtesy call by the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in his office yesterday also said that the government had fulfilled its financial obligations to the contractors handling the NUJ secretariat building project.
Woka said that, while the new Rotary machine for the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Publishers of The Tide stable would be test run in April, equipment for Radio Rivers were already on ground and would soon be installed.
According to him, Rivers State Television (RSTV) has a training package, while efforts were on  to improve the Garden City Radio through satellite transmission.
On the status of the NUJ secretariat, the Permanent Secretary said that the government had fulfilled all its financial obligations to the contractors handling the project.
He said  that government would not pay anything outside the contractual agreement, and warned the contractor against any further delay in the completion of the project.
Woka said that his present appointment was an indication that any hardworking journalists can rise to any level in life, but added that what was required was integrity and excellence in service.
He also used the occasion to call on security agencies to provide adequate security for journalists during the elections, while media orgainsations should provide the necessary equipment for the coverage of the polls.
Earlier, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Opaka Dokubo said that the visit was to congratulate him on his appointment.
Dokubo also said that his appointment has given hope to journalists all over the country that they were being recognized in the scheme of things.
He used the occasion to thank Governor Chibuike Amaechi for his press-friendly disposition, and assured the Permanent Secretary of the support of the union.