Journalists from National media covering Akwa Ibom state have given kudos to the Akwa Ibom state government for latching up to the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability And Sustainability (SFTAS) despite some lapses in the management of the state budget.
It observed that such a disposition has enabled the state government to become one of the beneficiaries of the world bank incentive scheme.
In a communique issued at the end of a 4-day Retreat organized by Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom state council, held in Abuja on the theme: “In Search of a Better Nigeria Through Responsible Journalism”, also applauded the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, comrade Ini Ememobng for changing the face of information management in the Akwa Ibom.
The communique which was jointly signed by comrade Joe Effiong, Tony Ita Etim, Inenesit Akpan Nsoh and the chapel chairman Idongesit Ashameri, stated that papers were presented covering different areas that could pave way for a better Nigeria.
He listed the papers to include: The place of Media in Shaping Monetary Policies for Better Economy”, “The Role of the media in Budget Tracking”, “Safety and Security of the Media in Volatile Environment” and goodwill messages from individuals and corporate organisations.
It observed that most of the policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), either expansionary or restrictive monetary policies, do not tackle inflation in the Nigerian economy.
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The communique reads in parts: “The Retreat expressed appreciation to Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Strategy for changing the face of information management in the state and making the ministry the most viable and effective ministry. The Retreat specially commended him for moral and material support he has often offered to the Correspondents Chapel.
“Notwithstanding the lapses observed in the management of the state budget, the Retreat commended Akwa Ibom State Government for latching up to the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS), which enabled her to be one of the beneficiaries of the World Bank’s incentive scheme.
“That such policies cannot work in controlling cost-push inflation because of the high cost of production such as diesel, gas, transportation, energy, as well as insecurity.”
The media practitioners decried the non-representation of Journalists in the state Public Procurement Committee as provided by the state public procurement law 2013.
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