Government Promises Support As Digitisation Takes Off In Jos

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians of a
smooth digital switchover from analogue to digital
terrestrial television transmission by providing adequate
funding and necessary legislative backing to ensure an
effective digitisation process.



Information Minister, Labaran Maku, gave the assurance in
Jos, the Plateau State capital, at the flag-off of the Jos
Pilot City digital switch over as he expressed the
government’s commitment to ensuring a
successful exercise.
Mr Maku said that the National Broadcasting Commission
(NBC) would provide necessary support in the
actualisation of the 2015 digitisation deadline.
The event brought together media professionals,
politicians and technicians in the media industry to chart a
new cause towards the much awaited digitisation process.
With over 40 million analogue television users in Nigeria,
expected to switch over to the digital platform, there is the
need for massive publicity and campaign as the people
need to be informed and educated on the process.
There are numerous plans on ground by the NBC in
reaching out to the public through aggressive campaign
and publicity on the switch over process as enumerated by
the commission.
Several benefits await the nation in terms of higher quality
audio and video, efficient signal processing and flexibility
in programming editing as well as mass employment as
explained by former national broadcasting director general.
The flag-off of the Jos Pilot City switch over marks the
beginning of a new phase in the broadcast industry as the
campaign from analogue to digital terrestrial television
transmission commences.
While the broadcast industry strives to acquire necessary
equipment that will guarantee quality and rich content
programming, efforts should be intensified to make the
setup boxes available and affordable to all television
viewing households.