BY ANDREW IKEHI
The Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) yesterday applauded the Board, Management and Staff of The Pointer Newspapers for breaking the jinx of remitting in excess of N10 Million of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) into the State Government’s coffers.
The applause came yesterday at the ongoing Budget Defence by the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) when the Board Chairman of the Media outfit, Pastor Austin Igbene told the Assembly House Committee on information that,during the outgoing Fiscal year, the media outfit credited the State government coffers with N10 Million.
Apparently pleased with the development, the Chairman, House Committee on information and, leader of the State Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, punctuated the Chairman’s brief with a clap ovation for the State-owned media outfit.
Joined by other members of the committee, Hon. Nwaobi noted that the development which he described as novel, worth celebrating.
He enjoined other State-owned media outfits; Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) Asaba and Warri to take a cue from The Pointer.
He said, “I am happy to hear this that, in the 2025 fiscal year, you (The Pointer) have been able to remit into the State Government’s coffers over N10 Million
“This is commendable and worthy of emulation by the Sister media outfits -DBS Asaba and Warri.
“I would be happier when, in the next one year when we would gather to receive your 2027 Budget that all the State-owned media outfits; DBS Asaba and Warri would be singing the same song ” Nwaobi said.
Meanwhile, other members of the Committee, particularly Hon. Oloye Pereotu enjoined The Pointer to, as a matter of necessity strengthen its circulation process, noting that some of the local Government Areas of the State hardly get The Pointer.
Chairman, Board of Directors, The Pointer Newspapers, Pastor Austin Igbene, in his brief, listed lack of operational vehicles, electricity challenge, inadequate manpower as some of the challenges currently confronting the media outfit.
It would be recalled that the State Commissioner, Ministry of Works (Rural Road) and public information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu led the team, The Pointer Newspapers, DBS Asaba and Warri to the budget defence which is currently ongoing.
