NBC Orders Daar Communications to Stop Test Transmission of Its Signals in Yola

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Mr. Is’Haq Modibbo Kawu, The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
Mr. Is’Haq Modibbo Kawu, The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Sunday, April 22, 2018 directed Daar Communications, owners of the Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower radio stations, to stop further test transmission of its signals in Yola, Adamawa State, for allegedly failing to follow the required due process.

The directive was issued in a statement signed by the Commission’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Anita Ekanem. NBC noted that the broadcast station will not be allowed to continue its test transmission until normal statutory approvals have been given.

The Commission gave the directive after it noted that the operatives of the station went ahead to run its test transmission, refusing to yield to the reminder by the NBC Yola State Office on the need to obtain the necessary statutory approvals as stipulated in the Nigeria Broadcasting Code before such a test transmission could commence.

The Commission noted that, “it is regrettable that Daar Communication as an old licensee of the Commission will fail to follow due process and would proceed on test transmission on Sunday, April 22, 2018, without clearance from the NBC.”

For the avoidance of any doubt, the Commission drew the attention of the public to Section 12.14.4.6 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code which states that:
“In all cases, a representative of the Commission shall be required for the testing to be conducted on new transmitting equipment.”
The Commission emphasized that all broadcasters must adhere strictly to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and the National Broadcasting Act CAP N11 Laws of the Federation, 2004.