ABUJA – House of Representative yesterday commenced procedures to amend the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Act 1977 Cap 24, section 6(1) so as to give it legal status to integrate to digital broadcasting.
The bill also seeks to reposition and strengthen the authority in tandem with the 21st century television broadcasting projection.
The bill when passed will further empower the NTA to broadcast within and outside Nigeria. It will provide the legal framework to enable the authority to broadcast to global audience.
The Act establishing NTA reads that; “it shall be the duty of the authority to provide as a public service in the interest of Nigeria, independent and impartial television broadcast for general reception within Nigeria”.
However, it is proposed that if the amendment pass,section 6(1) read shall read thus ” it shall be the duty of the Authority to provide as a public service in the interest of Nigeria, independent authority and impartial television broadcasting for general reception within and outside Nigeria”.
The sponsor of the bill Rep. Victor Kolade representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency of Lagos said the bill will boost the authority’s revenue generation as regards arrangement with any person or any authority within and outside Nigeria.
Kolade also said the purpose for obtaining concessions, licenses, adverts, privileges and other rights, since it is now legally enabled to broadcast to the global audience.
The bill was unanimously passed into second reading by the house.
