Akwa Ibom State Government has put in place modalities for the revitilisation of all its enterprises, including Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) and Akwa Ibom Newspapers Corporation (AKNC), publishers of Pioneer Newspaper.
The revitilisation exercise geared at optimal productivity and profitability of state-owned enterprises is to be undertaken by the government through the Akwa Ibom Investments Corporation, (AKICORP), under the leadership of the Governor, Imo-Abasi Jacobs.
The Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, made this known over the weekend while interacting with management staff of AKBC and AKNC, during a facility-tour of the two parastatals under his ministry.
Ememobong averred that, while AKICORP was on the path of repositioning the organisations for optimal productivity, the management could also consider different creative perspectives and alternatives to tackle teething challenges confronting the establishments.
He stressed the need for the management of the two corporations to get to the drawing board and look out for creative ways towards the workability of the enterprises at the barest minimum cost in view of the limited resources of government, emphasising that, the state Eno was desirous of having state-owned corporations and enterprises operate with profitability and sustainability.
Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Akparawa James Edet, and other management staff of his Ministry, Ememobong said with ingenuity, both corporations, could remain afloat while waiting for government’s plans to unfold.
Inspecting the facilities of the AKBC at Ntak Inyang, the information boss averred that if the television service must be exposed to global viewership, there had to be a change of mindset on the part of the workers, emphasising that content creation, and staff commitment had to be prioritised.
The Commissioner charged the staff to contribute meaningfully towards improving AKBC rather than sabotaging management’s efforts, warning that culprits would be prosecuted.
He congratulated the Acting Director-General of AKBC, Mrs Magdalene Udokang, her team, and the Joint Trade Union for the cooperation and understanding which has enhanced the continuous running of the station.
At AKNC, Ememobong who extended Governor Eno’s good wishes, intimated the management of government’s desire for the Corporation and charged the General Manager/Editor-in-Chief of the Pioneer Newspaper, Mr Umoette Umoette, and his team to develop a template and strategic work plan that can keep the corporation effectively afloat for a specific period.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Akparawa James Edet, maintained that government was proactive and committed to the staff welfare of both corporations and called for team spirit and cross-fertilisation of ideas to achieve expected goals.
In their separate speeches, the DG, AKBC, Mrs Magdalene Udokang, and the GM, AKNC, Mr Umoette Umoette, listed the challenges of their corporations, bordering on inadequate resources, dearth of work tools, lack of mobility, poor staffing and poor staff training, among others. They expressed appreciation to government on plans to revitalise the corporations.
