DAAR Communications PLC, the parent company of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower Networks, says it’s already engaging in talks with the National Broadcasting Commission to resolve its licence issue.
NBC had revoked operating licences of AIT, Raypower and those of 50 other broadcast stations across the country, giving them a 24-hour ultimatum to shut down operations.
Director General of the Commission, Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, at a press conference in Abuja, said the 52 affected stations had been owing since 2015.
Ilelah said the stations were owing NBC about N2.6 billion.
He stated that in May NBC published the names of stations yet to renew their licences and gave them two weeks to do so or risk revocation of their licences.
The NBC boss said three months after the publication, some stations were yet to pay their outstanding debt in contravention of Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly Section 10(a) of the third schedule of the Act.
He urged all stations that have yet to renew their licences for the current duration to do so within 30 days to avoid sanctions.
He also advised all Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and other broadcast stations streaming online to register with the commission to avoid disconnection.
He said even if they pay their outstanding fees, they would have to pay another amount for recommencement of operations.
But DAAR Communications PLC, in a statement on Friday by AIT Editor, Terverr Tyav, assured members of the public that the company was engaging with the NBC to resolve the issue.
According to the statement posted on AIT website, “The Board and Management of DAAR Communications PLC, assures audiences of AIT and Raypower of engagement with NBC towards resolving the issue.”