The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Information has commenced the investigation of a petition filed against the General Manager of Delta Rainbow Television (DRTV) Warri, Mr Tunde Omonode, by the station’s chapels of the Nigeria Union of Journalists,NUJ and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union, RATTAWU for alleged mismanagement.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, who is also the Majority Leader, Honourable Tim Owhefere, while addressing the leadership of the two unions at the Assembly complex in Asaba, assured that the committee would leave no stone unturned in its investigation in order to get the station back on track.
Honourable Owhefere said the petition bordered on serious allegations of misappropriation of funds, lack of vision by management and incompetence..
He said it was unfortunate that DRTV Warri which ranked among the best broadcast stations in the country had suddenly become a shadow of itself due to alleged poor management, while smaller private radio and television stations in its neighborhood were doing practical well.
The Information Committee chairman said by their action the unions meant well because they wanted the station to function optimally.
He said the petition would propel the station’s revival, stressing that the state government would not leave the station in comatose.
Honourable Owhefere regretted that in spite of the state government’s funding of the station and the payment of staff salaries, the station’s output was not commensurate with government’s commitment .
He appealed to the unions to shelve their proposed strike as the Committee was already looking into the issues raised, promising that the Committee would be fair and firm in order to make the station work again.
Leaders of the unions and others who spoke took time to explain the myriads of challenges facing the station since Tunde Omonode was made General Manager.
They include frequent off air situations, especially at the threat of a rain fall, non functional airconditioners in the radio and television studios, inadequate cameras for broadcast operations, broken down toilet facilities among others.
The unions prayed the Information Committee to investigate budgetary allocations to the station and internally generate revenue, as well as restructure the Finance and Accounts department to reflect the corporate interest of the station.
The House Committee Chairman who met separately with the General Manager, Mr Tunde Omonode, chided him for not appearing with his management team.
Mr Omonode, however, explained that members of the management committee refused to come with him because they claimed that the content of the invitation letter did not suggest that they should be at the meeting.
The appearance of the General Manager and his management team was rescheduled for May 2, 2019
ASAGBASHIP THRONE OF ASABA: Who The Cap Fits