In compliance with the ITU deadline for digitising the broadcast industry
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is seeking a ban on the importation of used television and radio sets, popularly referred to as tokunbo, in Nigeria from the year 2015.
According to the NBC, this would be in compliance with the deadline previously set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to fully digitise the broadcasting industry.
Speaking at a capacity building workshop for reporters in Ibadan, organised by the Oyo State arm of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Director-General of the NBC, Yomi Bolarinwa disclosed that a bill would soon be sent to the National Assembly seeking to ban the importation of used television and radio sets.
“Appropriate regulation will be enacted to stop the importation of analogue broadcast and receiver equipment, and to enforce the placement of warning signs by store owners and importers who have inventory of analogue equipment, that such receivers may not receive digital content at switchover except when plugged to a set-top-box,” he said.
Bolarinwa, who was represented by the secretary to the commission, Mark Ojiah, added that the law would help protect Nigerians from purchasing non-digital television sets.
Sly is a social commentator who resides in Lagos and currently works as a relationship manager for a financial institution.
