Bayelsa Journalists form synergy with NNPCL as advocacy for investigative journalism forms discussion
Journalists in Bayelsa State indicated their willingness to partner and work with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) if the company opens its door for communication when called upon.
This was one of the outcomes of a media parley that held in Ebitare Hotel, Yenegoa when NNPCL media friends had a roundtable discussion with national, local and online media over the weekend.
Briefing the journalists, one of the conveners, Mr Solomon Oseagah, a media practitioner and player in the oil and gas industry called on the journalists’ to always fact check their information as it relates with NNPCL and not just go to press out of general misconception that the public has against NNPCL.
According to Mr Solomon, the GCEO of NNPCL has shown cause that the company is no longer an opaque company as it has opened its financial records to the public, first of its kind since NNPC was formed. He noted that the company has arrested over 1800 persons who vandalized its assets and committed economic sabotage but have been unsuccessful in their prosecution despite all evidences they present before the courts.
Speaking further, Ekerete Friday, the Akwa Ibom Sate NSCDC PRO revealed that in his own area of operations which is Akwa Ibom State, the NNPC has reduced oil bunkering across the waters by ninety percent and same has also been achieved in Bayelsa State.
The conveners outlined the many achievements of the GCEO of NNPCL which include a command room where all operations and assets of the company is viewed real time and promised to have journalists visit the headquarters to have a first-hand experience of it and take back the message back to the people via reportage.
When asked on the issue of Port Harcourt refinery and its delay, Mr Solomon stated that the refinery is already producing a product while PMS will be rolled out before the end of the year. Tife Owolabi, a journalist with Reuters who was part of the invitees confirmed Mr Solomon’s statement as he was there for documentary some time ago and saw that the refinery was functioning.
The journalists called on the NNPCL to stay closer to them and provide first-hand information instead of keeping quiet and allowing others have the media floor while their reputation is damaged, while assuring it of fair and unbiased journalism.
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