Nasarawa Commissioner for Information, Mr Lawal Yakubu, says N1.5 billion had been approved for the upgrading of the State Broadcasting Service (NBS) for effective service delivery.
The Commissioner disclosed this during the ministry’s 2023 Budget defence at the State House of Assembly on Wednesday in Lafia.
Yakubu said the approval was given by Gov Abdullahi Sule to make NBS compete favourably with other broadcasting stations within and outside the country.
He commended the committee for supporting the activities of the ministry to succeed.
“Most of the facilities in NBS are obsolete and need to be upgraded
“His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule, has approved N1.5 billion for the purchase of digital equipment as well as the upgrading of the NBS for effective service delivery,” he said.
The commissioner also commended Gov Sule for his attention to the ministry and NBS, to enable them to discharge their duties effectively.
Mr Mohammed Omadefu, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, said that the committee decided to invite the ministry to defend its 2023 Budget in line with constitutional provisions.
“And we want to assure you of our support to enable you succeed at all times,” he said.
Omadefu called for the return of all recreation centres and parks under the ministry’s control, based on the law establishing the ministry.
“This committee is worried by the way some recreational centres and other facilities that are supposed to be controlled or handled by Ministry of Information are being controlled by other agencies or offices.
“We urge such agencies or offices to respect the law by making sure that the Ministry of Information controls and handles hotels, Lafia Square, City Hall, among other facilities, in the interest of peace and respect for the law.
“The ministry is to ensure that it takes over all facilities under it, ” he said.
Also before the committee was the management of Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS), led by its Executive Vice Chairman, Mallam Auwalu Salihu, where he appreciated the committee for its efforts in ensuring development of the station.
Salihu also commended Gov Sule for the ongoing upgrade of the station.
He restated his commitment to ensure that the right things were done for effective service delivery in the station.
“We are doing our best in ensuring that NBS meets up with international best standards,” he added.
Omadefu, the Chairman of the Committee, commended the management of NBS in ensuring quality and effective service delivery.
The hairman called for the purchase of Ooutside Broadcast van for the station, considering its importance in news coverage and dissemination.
Omadefu assured NBS of the committee’s support at all times.
NAN
