NLC urges Akwa Ibom State government on use of AKNC printing press

Worried that the Web printing machine at the Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation (AKNC) that has not been put to use seven years after installation, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State Council, has called on the state government to consider revamping the machine for use.

The state chairman of the NLC, Comrade Sunny James, made the call recently at The Pioneers House, during the annual conference of National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPROW) to mark the 34th anniversary of The Pioneer Newspaper.

James, who said NLC in the state is interested in ensuring that the printing machine is put to use, promised continuous advocacy and engagement with the government until the request is granted.

Concerned that such a huge investment was allowed to lie idly without being put to use to generate funds for the state government and the corporation, the state NLC boss posited, “if God has help us to have the printing machine, it is necessary to ensure it is made to work.

He said the NLC will not relent efforts in prevailing on the government to focus attention on the Web printing machine at AKNC and the government printing press.

While saluting NUPPPROW members for finding time to come together to chart a way forward and reflect on their welfare, James stressed the need for them to be united so as to succeed in achieving set goals.

The general manager/editor-in-chief of AkNC, Mr Umoette Umoette, Lauded the initiative of the Union to organise the conference, which provided a platform to mark the 34th anniversary of Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation.

Umoette, who was represented by the secretary of the corporation, Mrs Josephine Umoren, described the event as very special in the life of the management and staff of AKNC, and used the occasion to appreciate the staff for their commitment and sacrifice to move the corporation forward.

In a goodwill message, the chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Amos Etuk, who was represented by the council secretary, Comrade Dominic Akpan, congratulated NUPPPROW on the celebration of their day and the 34th anniversary of the Corporation.

Etuk promised to join voice with NUPPPROW and the Corporation to press home their demands to put the Web printing machine to use.

While recalling that the NUJ had sometime last year mentioned the issue of the machine in its communique, Etuk pledged , “we will continue to highlight the issue until government pays attention to the demands of the Corporation”.

The editor, daily, of The Pioneers Newspaper, Helen Udofa, commended NUPPPROW for the initiative to mark the 34th anniversary of the AKNC.

Udofa, who recounted the tedious process that some staff of the Corporation used to go through to print the tabloid outside the state during the Corporation’s initial years, said the state government had acquired the state-of-the-art Gross Community Press for the Corporation, with a view enabling the newspaper go daily as well as do other printing jobs to generate revenue.

She expressed hope that government would complete modalities to ensure the operation of the printing machine to reduce some of the burden on workers as well as provide other equipment for the smooth running of the Corporation.

The editor sued for continuous cordial working relationship between NUPPPROW and NUJ in the Corporation and express d optimism that their union’s request for the provision of working tools, better working environment and welfare will be granted in no distant time.

In his speech, the state chairman of NUPPPROW, comrade Itoro Effiong, lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for the numerous people-oriented projects in the state.

Effiong said the theme of the conference: The Printing Industry of Akwa Ibom State: The Pioneer Newspaper Printing Press”, is very apt, given the importance of printing profession.

He called on the state government to payore attention to the Corporation to ensure that the machine is put to use, and also boost the internally generated revenue of the state.

The essence of the conference, he said, was to enable them rededicate both the AKNC and Government Printing Press to the Almighty God.

He appealed to government to reposition and revamp the machine for use so as to stop printing outside.

The NUPPPROW boss pledged the Cooperation of the Union with the management, other unions in the Corporation as well as the Ministry for the progress of the state.

Highpoint of the event was prayer session for the Corporation, staff and the state government and facility tour of the Gross Community Press by the NLC chairman.