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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has revoked the broadcast licences of Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, Rhythm FM and some state-owned stations over failure to renew their licences, amounting to N2.66 billion.
NBC Director-General, Mallam Balarabe Shehu, in a statement on Friday noted that the move followed the publication of a list of stations yet to renew their licences.
According to Shehu, a two-week waiver was given to the stations in May, after which they risked the revocation of their broadcast licences.
He directed its state offices to liaise with security agencies to ensure the shut down of operations of these stations within 24 hours.
“Three months after the publication, some licensees are yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly section 10(a) of the third schedule of the Act.
“Therefore, after due consideration, NBC hereby announces the revocation of the licenses of the…stations and gives them 24 hours to shut down their operations.
“Our offices nationwide are hereby directed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure immediate compliance,” he said.