Ebonyi-owned media outfit to become independent firm— Nwifuru

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State said that all the state-owned media establishments will now become independent companies.

The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr. Jude Okpor, stated this in a press briefing on Tuesday, saying the governor approved the ceding of the state media outfits during the Executive Council Meeting.

The media outlets, including the Ebonyi Broadcast Corporation (EBBC), Salt FM radio, Salt Television, and the Ebonyi State Newspapers and Publishing Corporation, Nigerian Patriot, are affected.

The implication of this, according to Nwifuru, is that the corporation will become a public liability company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

The Commissioner noted that after an exhaustive deliberation on the administrative status of the state-owned radio and television stations, the EBBC, the Council approved the ceding of the corporation to become an independent outfit.

He, however, added that it will raise the productivity level of the corporation and boost economic returns to the state government, adding that the same applies to the Ebonyi State Newspapers and Publishing Corporation, Nigerian Patriot.

“With this development, the staff of the establishments who no longer fit into the new administrative/independent configuration of the outfits are to be posted to other MDAs where their services are needed to further their careers,” he said.

“This reform is not in any way tilting towards sacking any member or staff of the establishments but sees this as a move to re-jig the outfits towards making them fully independent, business-oriented, and self-reliant.”

Okpor also stated that Governor Nwifuru has directed the State Head of Service, Mary Rita Okorocha, to advertise for the positions of the Auditor General of the state and that of the local government following the existing vacancies and the need to fill them.

He added, “In preparation for the 2025 fiscal year, EXCO commenced ministerial debates and defense for the MDAs, marking the commencement of the processes preceding the official presentation of the budget proposal to the House of Assembly for statutory legislative consideration and approval.

“To this effect, the Council further approved the Citizens Budget Participatory Engagement, which will take place on Wednesday, 27, 2024, at the Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, by 10:00 am.”