Buhari Govt Bows To Pressure, Takes Fresh Decision On Silverbird, AIT, Raypower, Rhythm FM, Others’ Ban

The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has bowed to pressure from stakeholders in the telecommunication industry and extended the enforcement of the revocation order on debtor broadcast stations to Wednesday.

Recall that the NBC had on Friday announced the revocation of the broadcast licenses of Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, Rhythm FM, amongst others over their failure to renew broadcast licenses.

Naija News reports that the Director General of the NBC, Mallam Balarabe Shehu had also directed NBC state offices to liaise with security agencies to ensure the shut down of the operation of these stations within the next 24 hours.

Shehu stated that the licenses of about 52 television and radio stations were suspended over failure to pay federal licensing charges to the tune of N2.6 billion.

According to the NBC DG, the suspended stations were warned for several months to pay licensing costs for their operations but failed to comply.

But in a fresh statement titled ‘NBC Extends Enforcement Of Revocation Order On Debtor Broadcast Stations From 24 Hours To Wednesday, August 23, 2022’ and issued on Saturday, NBC noted that the stations have till the new deadline to pay their debts or risk being closed down.

It read, “This is to inform all the affected broadcast stations whose licenses were revoked and given 24 hours to pay all outstanding license fees that the National Broadcasting Commission has extended the period which all outstanding debts are to be paid from 24 hours to Wednesday, August 23, 2022.

“All affected broadcast Stations who fail to defray their debts on or before August 23, 2022, are directed to shut down by 12 am on August 24, 2022.

“All affected broadcast Stations who fail to defray their debts on or before August 23, 2022, are directed to shut down by 12 am on August 24, 2022.

“This extension is due to the appeal by the affected Broadcast Stations, relevant stakeholders, public-spirited Individuals, and Organisations.”