The Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime has called on media practitioners in the country to endeavour to carryout in-depth investigation to balance their news they dish out to the public.
Governor Chime who made the call during a media chat with media executives and correspondents in Enugu also appealed to them to always put the interest of the nation and her leaders first in the discharge of their duties.
The Governor described media practitioners as responsible group of people of noble profession but noted with dismay the prominence they gave to negative reports about their country on the page of their dailies.
The State Chief Executive therefore appealed to them to do more in highlighting those positive issues and values in the country and reduce the negative ones since the country has a good number of positive values and image that could make good headlines.
According to him, “I urge you to try to investigate stories you have. You are responsible people, let us read more about good and positive things about the country and not only negative ones.”
The Governor used the occasion of the interactive session to explain his government policies and programmes on issues boarding on infrastructure, the minimum wage, education, security, agriculture, among others.
On agriculture, Governor Chime told the Press that Enugu State has been chosen as the centre of Songhai farm initiative in Nigeria, adding that already, the Songhai trained graduate farmers in the state have been deployed at the Adarice farm at Adani in Uzo-Uwani Council Area.
He stated that the Enugu Mother farm has been established at Heneke Lake and work on the establishment of three farms in each of the zones of the state and one in each of the seventeen council areas of the state are on-going. He declared that with the investments so far made in Agriuclture, Enugu will be self sufficient in food production by the year 2013
Also on road, the Governor explained that work is ongoing in most of the roads being rehabilitated or under reconstruction in parts of the state including the Akwata road, parts of Ogui New Layout as well as the inter local government roads.
He specifically mentioned the extension of Presidential road – Agric Bank, Umuawulu road to the Enugu/Port Harcourt road, the Ugwogo Nike – Ekwegbe – Opi Nsukka where stone base had been completed, the Nsukka – Ibagwa – Ogrute Aji – Ette road, the old Udi – Nnachi – Oji River road and internal roads at Ogui New Layout.
The State Chief Executive explained that most of the contracts awarded to some indigenous contractors at the inception of his administration for the reconstruction of urban roads within the state capital have been revoked for none-performance.
He however assured the people that now that the dry season is about to set in, a good number of the contract will be re-awarded to tidied up the remaining urban roads within the state capital and Nsukka urban.
The Governor also spoke on the issue of security and the Coal industry in the state and said that government is not relenting on the seriousness it attaches to security, especially during this ember months.
According to the Governor, “the issue of security cannot be toyed with, we are working very hard to ensure that our people have a very peaceful Christmas and that residents of the state go about their lawful business without molestation and also have their two eyes closed while sleeping.
On Coal Industry, Governor Chime noted that although the issue of coal mining is under the exclusive right of the Federal Government, his government is doing her best to encourage potential investors to come to mine the coal deposit in the state.
He also stated that with the proposed one thousand mega watts coal fired plant by the Federal Government to be cited in Enugu, the future of coal industry is still bright, “we have not given up”, he said.
