COVID-19: FG grants 2-month licence fee waiver to broadcast stations

The Federal Government has granted a two-month licence fee waiver for terrestrial broadcast stations in the country. The move is part of measures to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the broadcast industry.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this at a meeting with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON). The meeting was held on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mohammed informed the meeting that he had approved the request by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on the waiver. Furthermore, he stated that he also approved the distribution of protective equipment to some community broadcast stations across the country by the NBC.

Mohammed acknowledged the fact that BON members and other sectors of the creative industry in general; had been hit hard by the effects of the pandemic. Nevertheless, he disclosed that the government was taking a holistic approach to address the impacts of COVID-19 on the creative industry.

“Let me stress here that the Creative Industry is a very critical sector of the nation’s economy and a major plank of the economic diversification policy of this administration. It creates the highest number of jobs after Agriculture, especially for the youth.

“Therefore, there is no doubt that we need a collective and government-supported approach in dealing with the immediate; short and long term palliatives and initiatives for the industry; in order to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector,” he said.

Additionally, the Minister revealed that government had decided to set up a committee of industry stakeholders; to look into and advise it on the best way to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry.

He said the committee’s Terms of Reference included assessment of expected impact of the pandemic on the industry in general.

Specifically, the committee is to advise the government on how to mitigate job and revenue losses in the sector; as well as to create succour for the industry small businesses. It is also to suggest the type of taxation and financing that is best for the industry; in order to encourage growth, Mohammed said. Further, the committee will advise the government on other measures that can be undertaken to support the industry.

Mohammed said the committee is chaired by Ali Baba, a comedian, Film and TV entrepreneur; while Ms Anita Eboigbe of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) is the Secretary. Other members include Bolanle Austen Peters of TerraKulture Performing Arts; Charles Novia television independent Producer (TeenTV); and Segun Arinze, an actor and producer. Also, Ali Jita, actor and musician; Baba Agba, film director; Kene Okwuosa, cinema and film distributor; and Efe Omoregbe of record label and collective rights management are also members.

Other members are Prince Daniel Aboki of Cool FM/WaZoBia, Chioma Ude, Olumade Adesemowo, Dare Art Alade and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim from BON.

The minister said they were expecting the representatives of the Fashion, Publishing, Photography; as well as Hospitality and Travel sectors to join the committee.

He said the committee has four weeks to submit its report.

Earlier, the Vice Chairman of BON, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, who led the delegation; appreciated efforts of the federal government so far in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ohuabunwa said COVID-19 had adversely affected the revenue generation and earnings of broadcast outlets; noting that if not urgently addressed, would lead to collapse and shut down of many. He held that survival and success of any democracy lies in the existence of a robust and well-informed populace; which is achievable through the existence of the broadcast outlet.

Therefore, he called on the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria to institute special broadcast sector stimulus intervention fund to enable broadcasters access long term facilities at single digits. Also, he urged government to provide temporary scheme of paying compensation to independent broadcasters who are contemplating sacking workers.

Additionally, the vice chairman advised government to provide adequate funding for the running of state-owned media houses; provide personal protective equipment, special duty allowances and life insurance for their reporters and cameramen.

Besides, he urged government to approve tax rebate for broadcast stations; as well as a one-year moratorium payment of their annual operating licence fee payable to NBC.