Radio Station operators don’t pay license fees- DG NBC

The Director General of the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, has reiterated how worrisome and difficult the operation of the commission is with the refusal of stations to pay license fees.

He also said the statutory act of informing the NBC six months before the expiration of license to signify intention to continue as a licensee is ignored.

Kawu who was speaking at the Broadcast stakeholders meeting in Abuja on Wednesday at the Abuja Sheraton Hotels and Towers said, “There are very worrisome issues in our operations. The first is the situation whereby many stations have refused to pay their license fees; even the statutory act of informing the NBC, six months before the expiration of license and signifying intention to continue as a licensee is ignored.

“Our licensees carry on as if they have their licenses for keeps and the NBC cannot withdraw licenses. It is important to remind us all that all licenses are provisional, no matter how long you have held them. “For emphasis, I want to let you know that stations owe over N5Billion as license fees. I will like to use this medium to inform you, that the NBC would be invoking the relevant laws against erring stations. Consequently, all stations without exception are expected to complete all payments owed to the Commission by the 15th of March, 2017”.

The Director General also frowned at the illegal and rampant use of transmission power by stations all over the country.

“The Commission is equally disturbed by the illegal and rampant use of transmission power by stations all over Nigeria. Stations procure transmitters without respecting the stipulated and recommended transmitter power in city-based FM stations. The consequence of this is that we have frequency clashes occurring all over Nigeria”.

He noted that the commission as at yesterday compiled a total of 69 stations around Nigeria that have installed transmitters beyond the transmitter power stipulated in their licenses which is not exhaustive.

Kawu directed all stations that have installed more than allotted TX power to procure and install 2KW transmitters giving them six months notice to comply.

Pointing to other related technical issues including the refusal of some stations to install aviation warning lights on their masts, he directed all stations to comply with acts of professionalism in the system or face severe sanctions.

He emphasized on the issue of hate speech which he said has become a major problem in the country.

“I will like to draw your attention to the dangerous trend of Hate Speech that has become a major problem in our country today. Broadcasters are beginning to abdicate our gate keeping role; there are too many stray dogs around the house now; our stations must not be arenas for inciting and hate speech that can endanger the good order of our country. Broadcasting must promote pluralism and decency, as well as help to deepen the content of Nigeria’s democracy. We must not divide Nigeria”, he said.

The one day meeting attracted stake holders in broadcasting from all states of the Federation and Abuja.