NBC condemns demolition of Radio Station by Oyo government

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC ) has condemned the demolition of the structure housing the Fresh FM in Ibadan by the Oyo State Government .

The Director - General of NBC, Ishaq Modibbo- Kawu, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) in Ilorin, said the demolition was a worrisome development and did not speak well of the state government.
The structure, “Music House, ” reportedly valued at N 800 million and which had been in operation for 10 years , was demolished in the early hours of Sunday .

The property is owned by a popular musician , Yinka Ayefele .
Kawu said: “The development is worrisome because for all it is worth , the broadcast outfits are playing a big role in reducing unemployment , especially in this situation where many young Nigerians are idle.
“They also play social , informational, educational and entertaining roles in the society.
“Such development does not speak well of the government and has a negative effect on the nation , especially at a point when more broadcasting outfits are influencing the social space in the country .
“In this case particularly, there are so many issues that can be weaved up negatively by people .

“We hope that as we move forward , we will be able to find a solution to the situation , ” Modibbo- Kawu said.
The director - general said when the NBC got hint of the demolition , he made some contacts with some people in the state .
Kawu said that he could , however , not stop it.
The NBC boss promised to set up a meeting with the state government on finding a way forward on the issue .

The NBC boss recalled a similar experience in Nasarawa State about a year ago when the property housing Breeze 99 . 9 FM was demolished.
“What we did was to meet our licensee to find out what the issues were because he was prepared to go to court .
“We also met with the state Commissioner for Information and the Governor .
“The issue also was that the building violated the usage of urban space .
“We were able to reach an agreement that the government should give the broadcaster a new plot of land and assist him to go back to building a new station.
“However, just last week , I got a letter that the side of the government in the agreement had not been fulfilled ,” he said.

via punchng