The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is accused of defying a subsisting court order and preventing the launch of a new satellite-driven Digital Switch Over (DSO) scheme tagged “The Big Picture” by the Association of Set-Top Box Manufacturers of Nigeria (STBMAN).
The group is urging President Bola Tinubu to immediately intervene.
The NBC’s approach was described by its chairman, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, as “incoherent and unfair,” according to STBMAN, who also alleged a consistent pattern of disregard for existing agreements and stakeholders.
The Commission is beginning a course without the slightest consideration for agreements or for key DSO ecosystem stakeholders, according to the group.
Despite a presidential executive order encouraging local content in procurement, the manufacturers expressed concern about NBC’s plans to import five million hybrid set-top boxes from China.
They contend that this action is incompatible with the “Nigeria First Policy” and undermines local investment. According to STBMAN, “NBC should therefore be a promoter of economic activities rather than a destroyer of ideas and investments,” STBMAN said, noting that its members still keep unsold boxes made to NBC’s original specifications.
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PRESS RELEASE BY THE ASSOCIATION OF SET TOP BOX MANUFACTURERS OF NIGERIA, ON THE JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY THE DIRECTORS GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMMISSION (NBC) AND NIGCOMSAT ON THE UNVEILING OF SATELLITE DRIVEN DIGITAL SWITCH OVER (DSO) TAGGED “THE BIG PICTURE”
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is once more compelled to release a statement about the incoherent and unfair practices being used in the implementation of the FGN’s policy on the transition from analog to digital broadcasting, as requested by the Association of Set Top Box Manufacturers of Nigeria (STBMAN). Regrettably, it is becoming a common practice for the Commission to take a course without even considering agreements or the needs of key DSO ecosystem players.
The general public is invited to take note that STBMAN is a group of technology-driven companies that is open to the use of new technologies. Similar to how the Association does not suggest that the project’s implementation should be the most important factor. It is not surprising for anyone who has followed the DSO closely since its conception by the DigiTeam to choose the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) option because of the high cost that the majority of TV viewers will find it difficult to pay for. Second, excluding the millions of dollars spent by local DTT factories, broadcast signal distributors, and other parties that have deployed DTT infrastructure, the Federal Government of Nigeria currently has spent close to N60 billion on the DSO program. This does not bother the over 10 million poor television households who will be impacted by the mindless action of the hybrid box.
It is known that STBMAN has repeatedly urged NBC to work with NIGCOMSAT to reduce the high cost that was being paid to foreign satellite distribution/carriers, but NBC outright refused to do so because we are not opposed to any change in any government policy. It is heartwarming to finally discover that NIGCOMSAT has the best and most recent signal coverage.
Curiously, the press release stated that local manufacturers would work together to create hybrid reception devices every year, but there hasn’t been any communication with the 13 licensed STB manufacturers, who have invested significant money to produce DTT boxes that have been specifically ordered and created by the NBC/Digiteam. The public must be aware that the STB manufacturers have worked hard and given up for the DSO’s success, but there always seems to be a deliberate and calculated decision to stifle their efforts and investments. Due to NBC’s failure to fulfill its obligations and contractual agreements, STBMAN members have been left with scores of boxes in their warehouses without the ability to sell for almost 10 years. Any well-intentioned government agency that is concerned about the expansion of its economy should have engaged with the current licensed manufacturers to come up with a workable arrangement taking into account both the cost of the investments and the technological advancements that have changed.
Further, the public is asked to comment on why the Association filed a Writ of Summons in Suit No: FCT/HC/GAR/CV/442/2024 to defend its interests by requesting Court intervention to stop any attempt to license new STB manufacturers. This and NBC’s attempt to undermine the agreement and the exclusivity granted to the pioneer manufacturers is further supported by this. The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Abuja, issued interim orders restraining NBC from proceeding with any further action in relation to the reliefs the Claimants wanted on the 11th day of September 2024. NBC chose the path of contempt to short circuit the lines of justice, despite the fact that it has already seized the case/action and had issues with the Claimants. No matter how marginally or lightly placed it is in society until it is set aside, a court order, whether valid or not, must be followed if it is subsisting. The rule of law is all about this.
In total disregard of the Presidential Executive Order “The Nigeria First Policy,” which mandates that Nigeria come first in all procurement decisions, NBC announced in the press release that they intend to import 5, 000, 000 Hybrid/DTH Set Top Boxes from China. Without a compelling reason, no foreign goods or products that are already produced locally will be purchased. In line with President Ahmed Tinubu’s GCFR’s strategy of industrializing Nigeria, protecting the country’s economy from global shocks, and establishing long-term local capacity, the policy is based on that vision. Therefore, NBC should promote economic activity rather than devastate ideas and investments.
We give Mr. President, Alh., a call in light of the information above. The NBC leadership and its advisers are pressing on to stop this rather dangerous trend, which Bola A. Tinubu GCFR is attempting to perpetrate.
Thank you.
For: National Association of Licensed Licensed Licensed Stock Manufacturers. (STBMAN)
Source: Channels TV
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