From Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin
The General Manager of Integrated Television Services (ITS), one of the signal distribution companies for Nigeria’s digital switch-over ( DSO) implementation and handlers of the Ilorin, Kwara State, project, Mr. Musbau Rotimi Salami, has called for the review of the current business model put in place by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to allow for more favourable operations and cost-maximisation for operators.
Salami, who made the call recently in Ilorin, during the visit of the National Assembly ad hoc Committee on DSO to inspect the progress of digital installation work at the NTA premises, said the review of the existing business model was imperative to allow for equitable benefits for all the operators and stakeholders.
He said that the current business model has been a bone of contention for long, especially for signal distributors.
“Already, the Minister of Information and Culture has called for a review of it. We are eagerly awaiting the review as this will discourage the current situation where those who operate at the fringes and contribute minimally from reaping so much at the detriment of the major stakeholders,” he said.
He assured the visiting NASS members that the Ilorin project met the necessary requirement for the launch but was onlyawaiting the team from NBC to complete technical inputs.
The ITS boss used the occasion to dispel insinuations that the equipment used at the Ilorin centre was substandard and obsolete. He said such complaints were misplaced and showed a lack of understanding of the technology behind the equipment.
“Everything used for the Ilorin switch-over installations met standard as specified by Digiteam/NBC for dvbt2,” he said, stressing that technology in the broadcast industry was dynamic and never a straight jacket thing where one fits all.
Speaking further on the significance of the National Assembly members’ visit, besides fulfilling their oversight function to keep the switch-over projects on track, Salami said their visit would afford ITS the opportunity to explain their side of the story, adding that everything done at the Ilorin centre has been at par with global broadcasting equipment installation best practice.
Salami also appealed to Nigerians on the need to put the nation first in every aspect of business.
He said, “We must ensure that national interests comes first above personal and parochial interests. Integrated Television Services is conscious of the history behind it and will work to protect the interest of the Nigerian television consumers and the entire broadcasting industry in Nigeria.”
The Kaduna State-born transmitter installation and maintenance engineer, expressed confidence that the NASS committee’s visit to Ilorin would go a long way to shape the future and direction of digital broadcasting in Nigeria.
He also charged the NBC to specify equipment, not in terms of uniformity, but standard in design, in line with the white paper on DSO.