… As TCN blames the activities of Criminals, Vandals, And Insurgents for The Partial Collapse Of The Nation’s Grid Which Often Drags The Nation Into Disrepute, While Problems Are Not Insurmountable
By Charles Edet Esq
Mr. Ambrose Inusa Sule, President of Environment Reporters Association of Nigeria has called on his fellow journalists covering the Transmission Company of Nigeria TCN, and other strategic government agencies to protect them from a positive and progressive point in their reportage and shun negativity.
The president of ERAON, Mr. Sule advised reporters to avoid being used by detractors, groups or individuals to manipulate them to fight their perceived enemies.
During the Environment Reporters Association of Nigeria ERAON and the Transmission Company of Nigeria TCN’s parley, Mr Sule, revealed the challenges unknown to the public that hinders several of its efforts, stating that TCN had never compromised its responsibility in the discharge of its mandate.
He commended the efforts of the TCN management over their handling of the distribution of energy in such an environmentally sound manner.
He added that under a tasking situation and heinous terrain, that impacts negatively on the smooth transmission of electricity, it was impossible not to resort to what he called “emergency procurement methods” in other to quickly effect repairs. He stated that from their observations, the process of getting worthwhile results was full of hiccups and demanded extra effort.
“We live in difficult times and it is necessary to show concern to speed up nation-building”, he stated.
While blaming the activities of criminals, vandals, and insurgents for the partial or full collapse of the nation’s grid which often drags the nation into disrepute, he explained that the problems are not insurmountable stressing that his association would do well to always inform Nigerians on the complexity of generating and distributing electricity nation-wide, especially in flood-prone areas which in turn result to rapid erosion of Tower Bases, which is inevitable as the same lines must convey electricity to citizens.
“Under this circumstance, no responsible management would fold their hands and watch”, he stated.
The ERAON President, Mr Sule, however declared that his association was glad at the sustainable methods put in place to minimize unexpected developments. “When we are reporting such issues, we need to be mindful of the steps taken to ensure sustainability; that’s how we can be accurate and professional in our report”, he said.
He seized the opportunity provided by the parley to call for patriotism in reportage and appeal to environment reporters, particularly those covering TCN to report rightly, judiciously and fairly in the coverage of the affairs of strategic departments of government, adding that it was necessary to display patriotism at all times.
“There is nothing to gain by deviating from the set standards and principles of smooth journalism practice”, he concluded.
Accordingly, the conference was held following the urgent need to properly educate Nigerians on the enormous task faced towards Generating and Distributing electricity nationwide and the efforts to checkmate adverse developments unsafe to the well-being of the nation.
