Private networks’ll bring in investors….NBC

By Laide Akinboade

ABUJA—Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Yomi Bolarinwa, has said that introduction of private networks in Nigeria will attract private investors to the country.

Bolarinwa made this assertion at the weekend during the opening bids for one radio and one television network license for Nigeria. The new networks will ensure healthy competition and give viewers a wider choice, he sais.

It will be recalled that the bid process time table was announced on 3rd September 2009, after it was approved by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for the introduction of private networks to compliment Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

According to him, “We envisage that the new networks will further enhance plurality of views, ideas and opinions, as required in a participatory democracy. New networks will encourage healthy competition and give viewers wider choice by enhancing the development of Nigerian nation.

“We also expect the introduction of private networks to inject some fresh capital into the broadcast industry, which will have wider impact on the society in the area of jobs and wider variety in programming.”