Activities of the Ministry of Information and Strategy in Akwa Ibom State for the 2018 fiscal year will focus on the propagation of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s achievements based on his Five-point Agenda of Wealth Creation, Infrastructural consolidation and expansion, job creation, economic and political inclusion as well as poverty alleviation.
This achievement according to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh would only be made possible if the ministry is able to access the required funding for the prosecution of the outlined programmes and projects in the information sector. An estimated sum of N1.8 billion is the amount proposed by the ministry for this purpose.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh made the disclosure on Thursday while defending the fiscal estimate of his ministry for 2018 before the House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation and Finance.
The Information boss explained that of the total estimated budgetary provision, the repositioning of the non functional Government Printing Press is to gulp, N50 million, while the Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation would require N50 million for its projects and programmes for the year which includes, the construction of administrative block as well as capacity development for staffers of the newspaper house.
The sum of N250 Million is earmarked for the Construction of a befitting corporate headquarters for the AKBC. The headquarters building according to the Commissioner would be equipped with modern facilities including recording studios. Capacity development for staff is also included.
Technical Services Directorate would need about N105 million to for its activities while N950 million is proposed for Information services.
Activities of the Ethical and Attitudinal Re-orientation Commission, EARCOM, a government agency under the Ministry of Information is to gulp N100 million,
Udoh told the lawmakers that the the policy thrust of the Ministry includes processing of information on government policies and programmes for dissemination to the public, Mounting of public enlightenment campaigns and also relaying to government the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.
Activities under Information services according to Charles Udoh includes, programmes and activities involving publicity of government activities, achievements and policies, the production of state publications such as calendars, gazettes, magazines, diaries, and Almanacs amongst others.
On governments plan for the state owned broadcasting outfit, the AKBC, Udoh remarked that government was putting efforts at linking the television station at Ntak Inyang to digital broadcast channels in order to boost its output and revenue profile.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Charles Udoh (middle); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Pastor Praise Okon (2nd left) and members of the Commissioner’s encourage during the Budget presentation
The Info Boss said the policy thrust of the Ministry is to process information on government policies and programmes for dissemination to the public, Mount public enlightenment campaigns and relay to government the yearning and aspirations of the people.
Reacting, the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Hon Usoro Akpanusoh commended the Commissioner for his efforts in information dissemination, and urged him to double effort in the repositioning of the state owned television and radio station, the AKBC to enable it go digital in its services.
The Commissioner was accompanied to the House of Assembly by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Pastor Okon, Managing director, Pioneer Newspaper, Mr. Umoette Umoette, DG, AKBC, Pastor Anietie Ukpe and directors in the ministry.
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