The operators of Delta State Government Printing Press have been given a 48 hours ultimatum to bring the facility operating at optimal performance and reclaim its place in the paper production market.

Giving the charge on Thursday in Asaba, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said that the essence was to go beyond printing government jobs to render services to Deltans at cheaper rates.

Aniagwu stressed that once the facility was restored to op­timal performance, it would be managed with a private sector mentality to generate revenue for the government and cater for its maintenance.

Emphasizing the benefits of the printing press to the state government, the Commissioner condemned practices where sen­sitive government documents were exposed to unauthorized handlers as a result of the non- functionality of the printing press.

He added that when the facility becomes functional, it would justify the investments of the state government in establishing the printing press, adding that operators of the facility who are civil servants would no longer be idle.

‘’I have given them a marching order that by Monday, I want to see jobs printed and not just that the machines are running so that we can ascertain the clarity of jobs that will emanate in taking advantage of these machines.

Imagine, for example, printing examination papers from a private printer; the security of the question papers is not something that can be guaranteed. Imagine also that gazettes are printed in a public place; you cannot guarantee that something extraneous is not introduced.

We desire that we move beyond printing government jobs to also handle individual jobs once this place is fully operational. One beautiful thing is that government will render such services at more pocket-friendly prices and certainty’’ he said.