The Federal Government says it is prioritising the Digital Switch Over (DSO) project because it is critical to the post-COVID-19 recovery and prosperity of the creative industry.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this on Tuesday at the launch of DSO – the process of transiting from analogue to digital television broadcasting – in Kano State.
The event was attended by Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, his Deputy, Alhaji Nasir Gawuna, members of the state executive and legislative arms and critical stakeholders in the DSO project.
The minister said in addition to creating millions of jobs for youths, DSO would drive advertising spend with the Implementation of Audience Measurement Scheme.
He said the DSO would encourage investments in the broadcast and creative industry and as well drive the enforcement and collection of TV and Radio licenses.
Mohammed said the DSO would create a more equitable, just and people-centred Information society by connecting underserved populations and remote communities, thereby bridging the digital divide.
“The key benefits of digital television broadcasting are wider choice in TV and radio channels, improved picture and high-fidelity sound, greater flexibility with the potential for portable and mobile reception.
“Increased market competition and innovation due to the potential arrival of new entrants at different levels in the value-chain such as new service providers, broadcasters,’’ he said.
He said the DSO would also act as a catalyst for better management of spectrum resources.
The minister recalled that after the launch of the pilot programme in Jos, Plateau,on April 30, 2016, DSO had been rolled out in the FCT, Kwara, Kaduna, Enugu and Osun states.
He said the second phase of the DSO roll out project was in Lagos on April 29 before the launching train moved to Kano.
“The Federal Government is vigorously implementing a comprehensive nationwide process of transitioning from analogue to digital television broadcasting.
“The journey may have been slow, but it has been steady and we will keep it so.’’ he said.
While thanking Ganduje and the people of Kano State for their support and cooperation in making the launch a reality the minister implored other state governments to be at the vanguard of providing Set-Top-Boxes to their people.
He said the provision of the boxes should be seen as a social service that would take governance to the grassroots and bridge the information gap between the government and the governed.
