By Khalid Idris Doya
Governor Bala Abdul kadir Muhammad of Bauchi has assured that in no distant time the State Television Authority will link to a satelite with a view to improve the operational standard of the two Media stations.
He spoke yesterday while flagging-off the reintroduced ministerial briefing organized by the State Ministry for Information and Communication held at Abubakar Umar Secretariat, auditorium complex, Bauchi.
Represented by the State Head of Civil service, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu Haruna, the Governor said that his administration will continue to render all the necessary support to the state owned media organizations, BRC and BATV for the smooth operation of their services to the people of the state.
Senator Bala Mohammed emphasized the present administration’s determination towards ensuring success recorded in all aspects of human endeavor that cut across the various strata of development in the state.
“I am pleased to note that in spite of the challenge of funding faced by the State owned media organizations namely, BATV and BRC, they have been able to promote and project the activities of the government.
“Considering the role of the two media outfits in providing feedback between the government and the general public, the government has directed that they should be fully upgraded, digitized and their studio/office complex be fully rehabilitated.
“I have also approved the appointment of substantive Managing Directors for the two stations to provide leadership for them to function efficiently and effectively. Government has also intervened in the area of increased funding, especially to the Bauchi State Radio Corporation (BRC) in order to address the problem of diesel supply to the station. I am pleased to inform you that in no distant time the Bauchi State Television would be linked to satellite in order to be able to compete with its contemporaries across the globe.
“While tirelessly working towards improving its two media organizations, the State Government would also continue to give the necessary support to other media outfits in the State for them to also carry out their duties efficiently and effectively,” Bala added.
He, therefore, appealed to journalists to continue to work with the government as partners in progress.
Earlier in his welcoming address, the state Commissioner Ministry for Information and Communication Comrade Usman Garba Danturaki, said the essence of the ministerial briefing was to review the performances of the ministries in the state and the conditions of the ministries to enable the government reform the challenges faced where necessary
Hon. Usman Garba Dan Turaki commended the giant stride of Governor Bala Muhammad conducted under various ministries , departments and agencies which make the state an egalitarian in the country
The commissioner described Governor Bala Muhammad as media friendly, therefore commended him for the priority given to the sectors as a bedrock of democracy.
Also speaking, the state NUJ Chairman, comrade Umar Sa’idu, applauded the state Governor for giving the desired attention to the media sector in the state right from his administration inception in 2029.
He appealed to the state government to co-opt the casual staff working in the state owned media organizations into the payroll system of Government to fill in the gaps that existed due to the retirements and death, so as to appreciate their contributions to the development of the state.
