NBC ‘temporarily’ suspends shutdown of 52 indebted broadcasting stations
Barely a week after slamming a revocation of license order on 52 media stations over alleged indebtedness, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has temporarily suspended the directive.
The NBC had earlier given the affected stations two working additional days to clear a backlog of debts said to be running into the sum of over N2 billion, from the initial Friday deadline, given last Friday.
Director-General of NBC, Malam Balarabe Ilelah, who announced the temporary suspension of the shutdown deadline, in a statement, Friday in Abuja, explained that the commission ‘received positive responses from the debtor licensees, including big players in the broadcast industry.’
It would be recalled that the NBC, had on Friday, August 19 revoked the licences of the AIT/Ray Power FM (DAAR Communication L.td., Silverbird TV Network and 50 other broadcast stations over N2.6 billion debts.
The commission ordered the affected stations to shutdown in the next 24 hours and directed NBC offices nationwide to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.
However, the commission, on Saturday, August 20, extended the period which all outstanding debts are to be paid from 24 hours to Wednesday.
It explained that the extension of the enforcement date was due to an appeal by the affected broadcast stations, relevant stakeholders, public spirited individuals and organisations.
”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,” Ilelah said, adding that the commission was not unaware of the difficulties the shutdown would have caused the operators and other stakeholders.
Ilelah assured that the commission would always operate within the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap. N11, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
