NBC Restores Licences Of 52 Broadcast Stations
BY SEYIFUNMI LUMEKO
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has restored the licences of the fifty-two broadcast stations it suspended.
NBC, on August 19, suspended the operation of 52 broadcast stations across the country when it issued a shutdown notice with a planned revocation of their licenses over their N2.6 billion indebtedness in licensing fees since 2015.
The Director-General of NBC, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, on Friday in a statement lifted the suspension of those broadcast stations.
Ilelah said: ”Following the ultimatum, the Commission received positive responses from the debtor Licensees, including big players in the broadcast industry.
”Sequel to a follow-up meeting held with Executives of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and other critical Stakeholders in the industry, the Commission has decided to temporarily suspend the shutdown of the indebted Broadcast stations all over the Country.
”We express our profound appreciation to the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, the affected licensees and Broadcast Stakeholders for their responses and interventions. We, specifically, thank DAAR Communications Ltd and Silverbird TV/Rhythm FM for their responses.
”The Commission is not unaware of the difficulties this shutdown must have caused the operators and other stakeholders, but must state that the Commission will always operate within the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap. N11, Laws of the Federation, 2004.”
