Digital Broadcasting: Rivers Set To Beat 2015 Deadline

The Rivers State-owned
electronic media houses would soon migrate from analogue to digital system.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Mrs. Cordelia Peterside, said this last Wednesday during the opening ceremony of a three-day training programme for decoder installers in Port Harcourt.
She reasoned that the movement would enable the Rivers State Television viewership and its broadcasting corporations listenership  a guaranteed free access across West Africa.
Peterside noted that the adjustment would not only address the issues of enterprise development and job creation, but would also provide a safe-landing for young enthusiasts and content providers.
The Tide gathered that over 300 decoder installers drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state took part in the first phase of the training.
Our reporter was also told that there was no monetary attachment to the project, and that the exercise would provide self employment opportunities to the trainees, as they are likely to serve as the technical team that would install decoders for customers at an approved government rate.
According to her, all efforts, was in pursuance of the 2015 deadline for digital broadcasting.
She lauded the state governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, over his political will and support to digitalise the state-owned broadcast media houses.
The permanent secretary recalled that the state was known in pace-setting, hence the decision to be in the vanguard for electronic broadcasting system.
Some big wigs in the media industry, have also suggested electronic-reporting system for the state-owned print outfit in order not to live it behind.
Earlier, she had charged the participants to ensure that they excelled in the training so as to reciprocate governments efforts.

Vice President Namadi Sambo (right) during the capturing of his biodata at the official launching of new e-Passport in Abuja recently. Photo: NAN