By Jonathan Afesuku
Community newspapers have been asked to use their reach as authentic news sources to report developments in rural areas to the government and be a crucial part of feedback mechanism.
The Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, made the call when he received a delegation of select community newspaper publishers in Delta State who paid him a courtesy in Asaba.
“Community newspapers are purveyors of authentic news. As part of the natives that are associated with direct experience, the news from your titles is authentic and your spread across the communities in Delta State make you a channel through which Governor Oborevwori can keep tap on developments. If contractors in your communities are executing projects in a shoddy manner, your reports will alert the government and the trajectory in the quality of project execution will continue to change for the better”, Solomon said.
According to him, community newspapers are dear to the governor as they represent a critical part of the chain in ensuring good governance. “The government is accountable to the people and as important stakeholders and witnesses to developments in communities, you have to partner with the government by pointing out areas where lives are being touched positively as well as the areas where the government has to improve upon”, Solomon who started his career in public service as a journalist told the group.
On the MORE Agenda which is the driving policy and programme plans of Governor Oborevwori, he said it is the guiding principle of the government, urging community newspaper publishers to get acquainted with its tenets.
The Delta governor, Solomon stated, is consistent in adhering to the policies which have the completion of projects inherited from previous administrations in addition to executing new ones as an integral part of service delivery.
“Governor Oborevwori promised to restore the glory of Warri and complete projects inherited from past administrations. Two years down the line, he has been doing just that as can be attested to by his completion of the Ughelli-Asaba Dual Carriageway Road. He is very consistent with his policy.”
He promised to hold a workshop to acquaint publishers of community newspapers with the dynamics of the MORE Agenda and gave them copies of policy document.
Speaking earlier, leader of the team and Senior Public Assistant to the Governor on Community Newspapers, Prince Joseph Orhomonokpaye, appealed for support for publishers of community newspapers given the challenging environment for the media. Orhomonokpaye noted the publishers are ready to partner with the Oborevwori administration in realising his developmental agenda.
