The management of Bayelsa State Television, on Tuesday, stopped
a live programme after the invited guests berated the state government’s
handling of the victims of flood disaster. The one hour long programme at the state owned television
station, called Gloryland Television was terminated after 25 minutes
when Tamarakuro Oweifie, the General Manager, directed the programme’s anchor
to draw the curtains.
Mr. Oweifie told PREMIUM TIMES he would explain the reasons for
the abrupt end of the programme after “he finishes with his investigations.”
Subsequent enquiries were not responded to.
End of discussion
Morris Alagoa, one of the invited guests at the programme said
that he was surprised at the sudden decision to end their discussion.
“We have not even attacked the state government, just saying it
the way we saw things in our impacted communities and administration of the
relief camps,” said Mr. Alagoa, an environmental activist.
Mr. Alagoa and Godwin Ebbeli, another activist, were billed to
speak on the flood situation that has ravaged several communities across the
Niger Delta region.
While Mr. Alagoa, who had visited several of the communities,
spoke on the impact of the flood on the people; Mr. Ebbeli focused on the state
government’s handling of the situation, especially the funds released for the
victims.
“He (the general manager) thought we will speak like government
officials,” Mr. Alagoa said.
In addition to the N500 million provided by the Federal
Government to mitigate the disaster, the Bayelsa State Government had approved
N1.5 billion from the state’s coffers, according to Mr. Ebbeli.
The state’s House of Assembly had also approved a supplementary
budget of N16 billion in the aftermath of the disaster.
Mr. Ebbeli questioned the government’s handling of the funds,
adding that it had not reached the real victims of the flood.
That was when the TV station’s management felt they had gone too
far.
“First of all they stopped the program as if it was the usual
breaks for commercials.
“Then a staff came into the studio and told us, especially my
fellow guest, Sir. Godwin Ebbeli that the GM (General Manager) is not
comfortable with some statements we were making about the government,” Mr.
Alagoa said.
After the commercial break, the programme resumed.
However, a few minutes into the segment, a hand written signal
appeared through a glass screen directing the moderator, Joyce Ogiowon, to end
the programme.
“When we came out of the studio, some of those watching it from
outside expressed surprise too; why the programme ended the way it did,” Mr.
Alagoa added.
It was not exactly clear why the programme was ended abruptly
but there were indications that Mr. Oweifie acted on orders from above to secure his job
While he apologized to the guests over the incident, the general
manager did not give reasons for his action, which also reportedly angered
other members of staff.
“Be rest assured that the programme will take place on a day we
all agree,” Mr. Oweifie, a former staff of the Nigeria Television Authority,
said in response to PREMIUM TIMES’ enquiry.
Mr. Ebbeli said that the main issues after the water recedes
would be how to cater for new housing settlements to entire communities
displaced by the flood as well as health problems.
“We are not in the habit of hoarding the truth from the public,”
Mr. Ebbeli said after the programme.
“The truth must be told no matter how offensive it is.”
Source: Premium Times
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