Nigeria’s information minister decries poor state of national broadcasting stations

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has decried the state of Nigeria’s national radio and television (FRCN and NTA) broadcasting stations with many of the outlets still using obsolete equipment for their daily operations.

The minister said this at an inspection tour of the transmitter stations of FRCN and NTA at Jaji and Kaita Road respectively, on Friday in Kaduna.

“In this time and age of innovation, technology and digital transformation, using obsolete equipment for broadcasting is unacceptable,” he said.

“It is important to note that the FRCN’s transmitter at Jaji was installed over 40 years ago. Some facilities have been there since 1962.

“We cannot go on with this obsolete technology. Technology moves so fast now. So, relying on these pieces of old equipment to broadcast to Nigerians is no longer acceptable.

“So, I will go back to Mr President to tell him what I have seen so that we can invest massively into our public broadcast facilities.

“We want Nigerians to be enlightened on the workings of government; we want to foster unity among Nigerians.

“We want to also improve agricultural exchange, promote education and entertainment for our people. We must take this kind of tour round the country to see facilities in other parts of the country.

“The newest equipment they have in Jaji were installed around 1980 and 1982. This is not acceptable. Technology is moving very fast and we cannot stay behind. FRCN and NTA cannot stay behind.,” Idris stressed.

He emphasised the need to ensure that the national broadcasting stations were equipped to meet the international standards.

“I assure Nigerians that the new Ministry of Information and National Orientation has its focus on technology and innovation and, of course, we need to invest money here.

“There should also be the right attitude of those manning these equipment so that we can have the desired change,” Idris said.