…Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo accused of foot-dragging
The Kogi State owned radio station, Confluence FM popularly known as Radio Kogi Lokoja is now inching to a year since it went off air due to a faulty transmitter.
Recall that about two months ago, ebirareporters.com reported that respite for the radio’s comeback was due, as the state government announced move to finally purchase a replacement for the transmitter, with hopes that the station would return to the airwaves.
Announcing through a statement, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Gloria Ojochogu, disclosed details of a Tender Board Meeting held in Lokoja.
The Ministry, according to the statement, opened bid for the procurement of transmitters for the radio station, and invited contractors to bid for the procurement of two 5KW transmitters for Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation.
However, barely a year off-air, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo has now been accused of “foot-dragging” over the fate of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, TheCable is reporting.
Insiders told TheCable that when Yahaya Bello, the state governor, was informed of the development, he immediately approved funds for the purchase of new transformers as well as the digitization of the station.
A member of KSBC staff, who spoke to TheCable off-record, accused the commissioner of foot-dragging on the resuscitation of the station.
“The commissioner has been foot-dragging on the matter as residents of the state who rely on the corporation for information have remained in limbo and are now having to make do with listening to stations from other states,” the source said.
When contacted, Fanwo said the delay was because “there is due process in Kogi state” and that the governor “has been so supportive and has revolutionised the information sector in the state”.
Fanwo told TheCable: “No administration has done half of what the governor has done in the information sector of the state. From Graphic Newspapers new magnificent building to the state-of-the-art facilities at the printing press and resolving power issues at the broadcast stations with the provision of 100kva generators, the governor has shown beyond doubt his commitment to the information sector.
“The Kogi Open Governance and Accountability System has broken new grounds in government-citizens communications and we are a leading state in terms of giving information to our citizens.
“The Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation has enjoyed tremendous support from the governor. Over the years, it was abandoned. That was the reason those transmitters were packing up. They were not even in conformity with the NBC specifications.
“What we are doing now is to install modern transmitters and completely digitise the stations. The governor has given approval and we have completed the processes leading to procurement. We try as much as possible to follow due process, working with the relevant authorities.
“Very soon, the people of Kogi will begin to listen to their darling station. The delay was because we want to give the best to the people.”
He was silent on when due process will be completed.
