Anita Ogona
Journalists in Port Harcourt have been asked to raise the bar by scrutinizing activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited NNPCL and balance all stories against misinformation.
This set the tune for discussion at the NNPCL/ journalist interactive sessions held at De Bricks Hotels in the city capital, provided opportunity for journalists to listen first hand on reforms carried out by the NNPCL including their core duties since the PIA came into effect and also rub minds on issues bothering the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.
The meda session which set off with banter from journalist against the activities of NNPCL, culminated into an atmosphere filled with fun as all queries where diffused when Solomon Oseagah who’s one of the media parley organizers pleaded with the journalists to beam their searchlights on the NNPCL but to be factual in the course of doing so.and more clarity sought on the new operations of NNPCL
The media parley which was meant to create a synergy between reporters from the South South saw the reporters from the print, online, Radio and community newspapers journalists proffering suggestions on how they can help the NNPCL achieve their communication mandate to get to the masses in the various areas they cover in reporting.
Also present in the media roundtable was the Akwa Ibom NSCDC PRO, Supol Ekerete Friday who dissected the various roles of NNPCL, NMDPRA and the NUPRC which is mostly misunderstood by journalists in the course of their reportage by ascribing the regulatory powers of the NMDPRA to NNPCL, thereby giving the company a larger than life image.
Mr Solomon while explaining the position of the NNPCL regarding the rumor of NNPCL being broke; noted that the company has only pulled out of intervening for Nigerians, since subsidy was removed as the company can no longer sustain it, to avoid them going into debts.
The media roundtable revealed to the journalists of NNPCL plan to be listed on the stock exchange market next year and will need to have a clean financial record to be able to enter the stock market where Nigerians will buy shares.
Various journalists who spoke asked that such discussion between NNPCL and the media should be held if not on a monthly basis, should be held often in order to stop the negative impression Nigerians have about the company, due to its lack of communication to the public through the media, with assurance of fair and balance reportage.
The journalist also urge NNPCL to increase its Corporate Social Responsibility for Journalist in the Port harcourt to also benefits from their scholarships programs and Trainings
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