Jos – Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has pledged to subsidise Set-Top Boxes for switch over from analogue to digital broadcasting to make it affordable to the people
The governor made the pledge on Tuesday in Jos when he received the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed at the Government House,
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the minister was in Jos for the post mortem review of April 30 roll out of pilot scheme of Digital Switch Over (DSO) in Jos.
Lalong said the state government would keep supporting the project because of its numerous advantages to the people.
“On our part, we are taking the DSO very seriously and that is why we assigned the Commissioner for Information to be part of the Digiteam.
“We know the importance of the DSO to the citizens and that is why we have decided that even if they cannot afford the Set-Top Boxes, we are prepared to subsidise it.
“We will work with the team so that all the local governments will be covered,’’ he said.
Lalong thanked the Federal Government for choosing Plateau for the pilot scheme, noting that its success was a confirmation that peace had returned to the state.
“It is a great honour to the people of Plateau State that this pilot scheme was done here.
“Apart from the historical value, its successful launch is an indication that peace has returned to Plateau,’’ he said.
Earlier, the minister appreciated the state government for its support and assistance towards the successful roll out of pilot scheme of DSO.
He told the governor that from his post mortem review and assessment of the project, he was satisfied with the progress made so far.
The minister assured that with the progress made so far, the digitisation project would be extended to all parts of the state in few weeks.
Mohammed said that after the pilot scheme and the free boxes distribution, other subscribers who could not benefit were expected to buy the boxes at subsidised rate.
He appealed to states government to further subsidise the boxes to enable those in the rural area to benefit.
Meanwhile, the minister has inspected digital broadcasting facilities in Plateau Radio and Television (PRTV), one of the content providers.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of sound and picture from the station and encouraged the management to place emphasis on rich local contents. (NAN)