Declare State of Emergency in broadcast industry, BON tells FG

The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the broadcast industry to stop it from total collapse.

Salihu Dembos, Chairman of BON and Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), made the call in Benin during the 79th General Assembly of the BON.

Represented by Tony Akiotu, BON’s Vice Chairman, Dembos said: “BON is asking the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in broadcasting, otherwise, we would wake up one day and over 90 percent of television and radio stations in Nigeria will close down.

“Then, we will have to rely on social media for information and the consequences and collateral damage to us as a nation will be much.

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“For us to avoid this looming danger, we are appealing to the Federal Government to treat broadcasting as a national emergency and offer support for us to survive as broadcasters.

“Part of this support includes providing broadcasting stations with CNG generators, looking for ways to subsidize power for us.”

According to him, broadcasting stations are categorized under Band A in the electricity tariff “which is very high. We don’t have the money to pay the electricity bill given to Band A or buy diesel at a very exorbitant price”.

He noted that broadcasting was going through serious challenges and difficult periods, as broadcast stations could not offer 24 hours service any more in the country.

“When we started, broadcasting was offering 24 hour service but as we speak today, I doubt if any station is offering 24 hours service except those who have the funds for diesel purchasing, generator repair and power purchase,” said the BON boss.

Speaking on the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State, he appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki to do everything possible to ensure that the election is free, fair, transparent, credible and without violence.

“It is when this happens that our democracy will be seen as growing and we believe Edo is one of the states that always sets the pace for free, fair and credible elections,” he said.