The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo has announced that the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has released funds for the restoration of broadcast service to the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Ochaja.
The Commissioner who made this known, Wednesday, said it is part of the “State of emergency” declared on the Information Sector by the Ahmed Usman Ododo’s Administration.
Hoodlums had stormed the Ochaja station few months ago, vandalizing major broadcast equipment. The State Government convened a security meeting to express displeasure at the unfortunate recurring vandalization at the station.
The Dekina LGA authorities, traditional rulers and security agencies had assured the State Government that the facility will henceforth be well protected.
“I am delighted to announce the release of funds for the immediate procurement of vandalized equipment at Ochaja station. This is in fulfillment of the Governor’s promise to ensure that our Ochaja station is brought back to life.
“We have been given the marching order by the Governor to ensure the people of Kogi East begin to enjoy the services of the station in the next few weeks.
“Our Engineering Department is going to start work there before the end of the week to meet up with the mandate of the Chief Servant of Kogi State”.
In the same vein, Hon. Fanwo also announced that the Governor has also released funds for the immediate procurement of the Studio Transmitter Link for the Broadcasting Corporation, Lokoja.
This, according to the Commissioner, will enable the corporation operate without necessarily going to Mount Patti.
“The STL will enable us operate from our Corporate Headquarters without necessarily going to Mount Patti. It will link Mount Patti to our Corporate Office.
“The Governor had given us hybrid power at the Corporate Headquarters and also doing same on Mount Patti. With 24-hour power supply and an STL, we will be able the transmit 24 hours everyday. This is the goal the Governor is targeting. And if we continue in the pace we are going, we will achieve that before the end of the year”, he said.
Fanwo thanked Governor Ododo for his interest in the broadcast sector, saying the Radio is “irreplaceable in sensitization and grassroots mobilization”.
He urged the communities hosting broadcasting infrastructure to “own the facilities” and “do everything legal to protect them”.
