…As DG clarifies issues of national interest in Lagos
Strong indications emerged from Monday stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos between the management of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and TV/Radio broadcast licencees that debtor stations will beat deadline in coming up with a debt payment plan that will be acceptable to the Commission.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, the Director General of NBC, Mallam Is’haq Modibbo Kawu decried that majority of broadcast licencees deliberately owe the Commission on grounds of lack of money, “But the irony of their claims over poor business environment cannot stand as many of them are rather expanding their outreach and new stations across”.
He said “Today’s joint meeting is to avail you the opportunity to work out how and when to clear all you owe government through the NBC. A total of N4,368,567,631.67k is owed by the stations across the zones and this does not show sportsmanship in business.
“NBC will not hesitate to sanction any station that failed to within the remaining payment window, come up with an acceptable payment,” DG of NBC averred.
Also speaking, veteran journalist and former DG of the agency, Mallam Danladi Bako brushed aside the emotional lamentations of broadcast operators, saying “No broadcast outfit makes money airing unattractive programmes or programmes that do not appeal to the appetite of business owners’ who will out of good programmes you are airing call in for advert or sponsorship deals.”.
Addressing the media at the end of the stakeholders meeting, Kawu addressed a press conference where he explained some of the recent critical policy actions NBC has taken in the interest of the nation.
He explained that Falz new track; ‘This is Nigeria’ was restricted for general viewing by any broadcast outfit based on some section of the lyrics which painted Nigerians as criminals when we are not.
He also explained that the ban placed on Ekiti State broadcast station based on their violation of broadcasting code even after several warnings will be lifted as soon as all necessary conditions have been met.
Kawu also disclosed that even though NBC gathered that an understanding is being worked out between Yinka Afeleye whose Music House was demolished and the Oyo State government over the recent demolition of his Plaza in Ibadan, NBC will soon get involved as part of efforts to protect and resolve issues bordering broadcast investors in Nigeria.
Explaining more on the ongoing Digital Switch over (DSO) driven by NBC, he revealed that all is almost set for the switching on Gombe State as all necessary infrastructure are on ground.
