THE NBC HAS GIVEN 9, 2023 TO BROADCASTING ORGANIZATIONS YET TO
By Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC has given September 9, 2023, to Broadcasting organisations yet to renew their licenses to do so or get their licenses revoked.
The Director General of NBC, Mallam Balarabe Ilelah gave the deadline in Lagos at a stakeholders forum with Commissioners of Information, Chief Executive Officers and General Managers of Broadcast stations from the South-South, South-East and South-West geo-political zones of the country.
The NBC boss who, reminded them that license renewal was a statutory obligation, implored licensees to liquidate their debts to avoid sanctions.
Mallam Ilelah also pointed out that provisional licensees were expected to be renewed after two years and expressed concern over frequencies that were assigned but not put to use.
Mallam Ilelah also called on the commissioners of information to implore their Governors on the need to adequately equip and fund state radio stations to avoid going moribund.
In his speech, the Executive Secretary Broadcast Organisation Of Nigeria, BON, Dr Yemisi Bamgbose appealed to NBC not to sell the 600 megahertz spectrum as speculated as this would negatively affect some broadcast stations.
Dr Bamgbose pointed out that the implication was that it would result to broadcast stations frequencies cohabiting with telecom operators and may be dislodged by them.
Responding, the Commissioners of Information from Eboyi, Anambra, Imo and Osun states as well as representatives of government/private radio and television stations appealed to NBC to consider the harsh economic realities in the country in the course of its regulatory functions.
They also appealed for a waiver on remitting 2.5 percent of their annually generated income and reminded NBC of the need to tackle the issue of quacks, particularly in radio stations.
Responding, Mallam Ilelah urged debtor stations to dialogue with NBC on payment plans.
On the issue of quacks in the industry, the NBC boss said the commission was determined to screen applicants of broadcasting licence to ensure they have trained personnel in their stations.