Connect with us

Metro

Grant waivers on newsprint, others, Guild of Editors urge FG

Published

on

Grant waivers on newsprint, others, Guild of Editors urge FG

A call has been made urging the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency grant waivers to media houses on newsprints, printing machines and other imported consumables in the industry.

The call was made by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) which charged the Federal Government grant the waivers to enable them stay in business noting that its plan is to partner with government to create more jobs and make the media industry more viable.

Mrs Funke Egbemode, the President of the Guild, made the call on behalf of her colleagues at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when she led the NGE leadership to a meeting Wednesday night with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

She said: “We are businesses and a sector of the economy. So, we came to talk about this sector; what are things that are available, opportunities that are available for us as businesses.

“We are leaders in the newsroom, as editors, and we want to partner, we want opportunities to train and re-train. We also came to talk about the distress in the industry…So, we came to talk about this sector, what are things that are available, opportunities that are available for us as businesses.

Read also: Supreme Court dismisses suit by Cross River State challenging suspension of Onnoghen

“Yes, we are professionals, we know what to do, just as a former president of the Guild Mr. Femi Adesina, said, we can’t get into bed with any government.

“We have a job to do, we will do it without fear or favour, but, we are also businesses, we are taxpayers, we pay pension and do every other thing that businesses do. So, why is it that we are able to support everybody, every sector? Can we get support, also, as businesses?

“Can the system provide cushions for us, can we get intervention funds? Our discussions were fruitful.”

Egbemode also applauded the positive response from the vice president.
“He has told us areas we can explore as a sector and that when we start working on it, it is possible that certain projects in the media can be looked at by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for intervention. But you know, it is business, I am sure, terms and conditions would apply.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now