Reprieve came the way of the 25 broadcast stations whose licenses were revoked last week for failure to pay their license fees.
The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, had, on Friday, August 19, 2022, issued a shutdown notice to the licensee for their indebtedness to the broadcast regulatory commission.
The action by the NBC provoked widespread condemnation from stakeholders who saw the action as ill-motivated.
But on Friday, August 26, 2022, the NBC capitulated and temporarily suspended the shutdown order via a release personally signed by the Director General of the commission, Mallam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah.
This elicited commendation and applause in the industry and the public in general.
In announcing the suspension of the shutdown order, the NBC boss singled out DAAR Communications Plc, as well as Silverbird TV and Rhythm FM for commendation for their prompt and positive responses.
“We express our profound appreciation to the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, the affected licensees and Broadcast Stakeholders for their responses and interventions,” Shehu Ilelah said in the release. “We, specifically, thank DAAR Communications Ltd and Silverbird TV/Rhythm FM for their responses.”
Below is the full text of the release:
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION
The National Broadcasting Commission on Friday, August 19TH, 2022, issued a shutdown notice to licensee that are indebted to the Commission.
Following the ultimatum, the Commission received positive responses from the debtor Licensees, including big players in the broadcast industry.
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.
The Commission is not unaware of the difficulties this shutdown must have caused the operators and other stakeholders, but must state that the Commission will always operate within the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap. N11, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
Signed
Balarabe Shehu Ilelah
Director General