Nigeria Can’t Meet Deadline for Digital Migration –Mba
DECEMBER 10, 2014
Nigerian Punch
BY AKEEM LASISI
The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Emeka Mba, has said that Nigeria cannot meet the January 2015 deadline for African countries to transit to digital television.
This seems to put an end to anxieties and speculations as to Nigeria’s position in the scheme of global migration to digital TV.
Mba made this known on Saturday at a dinner where he was hosted by the Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria.
In a conversation with EMCOAN officials led by its President, Mrs. Debbie Odutayo, the DG said apart from the initial delays, some socio-economic realities had made it impossible for the country to hit the landmark.
He said, “The January deadline is no more possible. We can’t meet it. We still do not have funding. Our country is going through a difficult time and we just have to face reality. In terms of economy, oil price is falling. Security is also a challenge. We remain optimistic that we will continue to work towards it; we will be pushing for June, at least.”
Mba said that though meeting the deadline was not a matter of life and death, there could be problems of interferences if neighbouring countries transited, while Nigeria remained in the analogue realm.
He thus noted that some of the options open to Nigeria include starting the migration in border areas, focusing first on major cities, while still discussing with countries in the sub-region.
At the event held in Lagos, Mba stressed that digital TV was the ultimate because of the multiplicity of channels/contents and the enhanced quality it offers.
He assured EMCOAN that the NBC would do all within the law to protect them and ensure that the 70 per cent local content rule is maintained.
Besides, the assured them that they would benefit from a proposed N200bn Broadcasting Fund on which, he said, the NBC was working with a major international firm.
On a request by Odutayo that the NBC should work with EMCOAN on festivals and exhibitions, especially foreign ones, Mba pledged to positively consider such, saying it would be mutually benefitting.
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| Director-General of the NBC Mr. Emeka Mba. |
Nigerian Punch
BY AKEEM LASISI
The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Emeka Mba, has said that Nigeria cannot meet the January 2015 deadline for African countries to transit to digital television.
This seems to put an end to anxieties and speculations as to Nigeria’s position in the scheme of global migration to digital TV.
Mba made this known on Saturday at a dinner where he was hosted by the Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria.
In a conversation with EMCOAN officials led by its President, Mrs. Debbie Odutayo, the DG said apart from the initial delays, some socio-economic realities had made it impossible for the country to hit the landmark.
He said, “The January deadline is no more possible. We can’t meet it. We still do not have funding. Our country is going through a difficult time and we just have to face reality. In terms of economy, oil price is falling. Security is also a challenge. We remain optimistic that we will continue to work towards it; we will be pushing for June, at least.”
Mba said that though meeting the deadline was not a matter of life and death, there could be problems of interferences if neighbouring countries transited, while Nigeria remained in the analogue realm.
He thus noted that some of the options open to Nigeria include starting the migration in border areas, focusing first on major cities, while still discussing with countries in the sub-region.
At the event held in Lagos, Mba stressed that digital TV was the ultimate because of the multiplicity of channels/contents and the enhanced quality it offers.
He assured EMCOAN that the NBC would do all within the law to protect them and ensure that the 70 per cent local content rule is maintained.
Besides, the assured them that they would benefit from a proposed N200bn Broadcasting Fund on which, he said, the NBC was working with a major international firm.
On a request by Odutayo that the NBC should work with EMCOAN on festivals and exhibitions, especially foreign ones, Mba pledged to positively consider such, saying it would be mutually benefitting.
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