A civil society organization, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), has called on Kogi state government to p pay more attention to the media practitioners and their institutions in the state.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director, Comrade Idris Miliki Abdul, and made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Sunday, CHRCR decried the attack and vandalization of Radio Nigeria Prime FM facility in the state.
Miliki described the attack on Prime FM radio station as worrisome and condemnable.
“We have been observed with kin interest the neglect of media institutions in Kogi state in the past years. This is very unfortunate. Media institutions in Kogi state deserve more. The attitude of the immediate and current government in the state is disappointing.
“It will be recalled that Grace FM in Lokoja has been off air for several months and the state government has refused to intervene,” he said.
CHRCR called on the security agencies to investigate the unfortunate vandalisation of the Prime FM equipment and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Wish to further remind the current government Kogi state to make resources available to the various media institutions, both public and privately owned.
“In view of the the security challenges in the country, while we acknowledge the effort of the state government in curbing security situation in the state, we call for more stakeholder partnership in preventing and countering violence extremism in the state.
“We commemorate the staff , management and the entire media community on the unfortunate incident at the Prime FM.”
CHRCR urged the Minister for Information to pay a working visit, along with the management of Federal Radio Corporation to the premises of the Prime FM station immediately to ascertain the level damage and losses on this all important radio station that has contributed significantly to information dissemination and public orientation.
Miliki said Prime FM has been a highly educative and entertaining station since its inception.
He call on the Federal Radio Corporation to remove and relocate the Prime FM station from its current location for better service delivery and more importantly, for the safety of both staff and equipment of the station.
