The Federal Government of Nigeria has hailed the establishment and launch of a new satellite pay television outfit which they claim is in line with the desire of Nigerians to “reap from the bountiful harvest awaiting investors in the Nigerian economy.”
Speaking at the official launch of Silver Lake Television (SLTV), an indigenous Pay TV brand in Abuja, Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation who was represented by Prof. Babatunde Bernard, his special adviser (technical) said that the new satellite pay television would serve as a veritable alternative that would respond to yearning of Nigerians by giving them value for their money.
He commended the owners of the firm, Metrodigital Limited for what he described as a patriotic step in setting up the satellite television.
He appreciated that the firm recognises the fact that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration has demonstrated an unwavering commitment through robust policies and legal frameworks to promote free competitive and responsible broadcasting service in Nigeria.
Speaking, he said, “It is becoming very clear that we are on the right path to our collective recovery and prosperity. This is our country; the only one we can truly call our own and we must fix it by ourselves.
“In recent times, Nigerians have been yearning for alternatives to Satellite Pay Tv that can serve as an alternative to the existing ones. SLTV has responded very loud and clear, and from the information made available to me, they are willing to give their fellow compatriot real value for their money in terms of service quality and affordability.
“It is gladdening that Metrodigital recognises the fact that the Federal Government has demonstrated an unwavering commitment through robust policies and legal frameworks to promote free competitive and responsible broadcasting service in Nigeria, devoid of any form of monopoly and unfair market practices in the broadcast industry in line with the determination of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, to turn the Nigerian economy around.”
“Since his ascendancy as the president of Africa’s most populous nation, the President has made enormous policy changes in his quest for economic recovery, one of the results being the reason that we have gathered here today.”
“Nigeria is an opportunity that is impossible to replicate or find elsewhere in any part of the world. The Federal Government wishes to assure the Management of SLTV of her full backing as they continue to do legitimate business in the broadcast industry of Nigeria.”
At the event, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, disclosed that the commission would consider the call by Nigerian pay satellite television subscribers for the introduction of pay-per-view options.
On his own part, the Managing Director of Metrodigital Limited, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwafor, lamented that the growth of pay TV in Nigeria had been hindered by policies of past governments and legal frameworks that abhorred monopoly.
However, he claimed to have been encouraged to invest because the present government had started to take positive steps to address the issue.