Just In: NBC Revokes Licences Of AIT, Silverbird, Raypower, Rhythm FM, 48 Others
- Issues 24 hours shut down notices on affected stations
BY EDMOND ODOK – The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has revoked the licences of Africa Independent Television (AIT), Silverbird TV, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM among the 52 broadcast stations sanctioned across the country over their indebtedness to the regulatory commission.
For the affected stations’ failure to renew their broadcast licences, NBC Director General, Mallam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah also directed its state offices to liaise with security agencies to shut down their operations within the next 24 hours.
According to available records, the debtor stations are owing the Commission over N2.6 billion in debt since 2015.
Malam Ilelah urged the stations to pay their fees before 24 hours to avert total disconnection, assuring that there is no political undertone in revoking the license of the debtor-broadcast stations.
Ilelah told journalists in Abuja on Friday that said three months after the NBC published in the national dailies the list of licensees indebted to the Commission, some licensees were yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly Section 10(a) of the third schedule of the Act.
He said in view of this development, the continued operation of the debtor-stations is illegal and constitutes a threat to national security, adding; “Therefore, after due consideration, the NBC hereby announces the revocation of the licenses of the under-listed stations and gives them 24 hours to shut down their operations. Our offices nationwide are hereby directed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.”
The NBC boss said early in May 2022, the Commission had published the list of indebted stations and granted them two weeks to renew their licenses and pay their debts or consider their licenses revoked, frequencies withdrawn and the withdrawn frequencies reassigned to others who are ready to abide by the necessary requirements.
More to come…
