House of Reps to wade into non-payment of journalists’ salaries

DISTURBED about non-payment of journalists by media owners across the country, the House of Representatives has promised to intervene in the case of inadequate remuneration of journalists, while canvassing autonomy for government-owned media in the country.

Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Ad-Hoc Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sani Zorro, in an interview with State House correspondents, stated that it was necessary to restore the dignity and credibility to journalism profession.

Zorro, a journalist and one-time President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said he was in the Presidential Villa, Abuja to identify with President Muhammadu Buhari’s media team led by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, who he said had been doing their jobs professionally in clear contrast with what was obtainable under the past administration.

The lawmaker from Jigawa State said in order to ensure that the media also benefit from the change agenda of the present administration, the House would also consider granting autonomy to Federal Government-owned media organisations.

He said the step would go a long way in protecting the organisations from the abuse they always suffer especially during electioneering.

He said, “The media should also benefit from reform and change agenda of the present government. The House of Representatives will consider granting of autonomy to Federal Government media.

“This is important to secure them from abuse that comes their ways especially during electioneering. The House will also not tolerate the non-payment of salaries of journalists and other deprivations.

Zorro urged Nigerians to continue to support Buhari in his task of repositioning the country, saying that the House of Representatives would also back the President’s agenda.

He particularly urged members of the Boko Haram sect that have taken up arms against the country to consider the commitment of the present administration to correct the wrongs of the past and embrace dialogue.

The lawmaker also appealed to the people of the Niger Delta to give peace a chance, saying no meaningful development can be achieved in an atmosphere of violence.

He said: “I am here to identify with Adesina and his team on the way they have been doing their jobs in a clear departure from the abusive past. We at the House of Representatives will back President Buhari in his task of moving the country forward.

“All Nigerians should also support him. Disgruntled elements that have taken up arms, especially the Boko Haram sect should see the transparent commitment of this administration to right all the wrongs of the past and seek dialogue.