As part of efforts of his administration to meet the deadline of digitalizing broadcast media in Nigeria by 2015 and facilitate information dissemination in Anambra State, Governor Chief Willie Obiano has signed the contract for the modernization and digitization of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) to lift the establishment from the doldrums 23 years after the creation of the State.
The contract for the new ABS Radio and Television stations was signed at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia by Chief Obiano for the State government while Hassan Fawaz, Managing Director, of COMFAX Nigeria Limited, signed on behalf of the Company.
The contract for the project is valued at N728 million and will be delivered within five months.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the state Chief Executive said the contract signing ceremony was in fulfillment of his promise to the people of the State to deliver a brand new broadcast organization complete with modern equipment that would bring Anambra State closer to the rest of the world.
According to him, the realities of modern governance demand that Anambra State should have a powerful media organ that would fill the communication gap between the people and their leaders. He further observed that Anambra State Broadcasting Service had been neglected for too long and needs critical intervention to reposition it to fulfill its mandate to Ndi Anambra.
Said he; "We are happy and excited to be signing this contract today. ABS is an important heritage and a great brand that should not be allowed to die. I am confident after going through a rigorous tendering process will be able to deliver according to the terms of this contract".
The governor revealed that the project was the first phase in his administration’s comprehensive plan to upgrade the ABS to a world class broadcasting outfit which started with the appointment of an experienced Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Uche Nworah to turn around the establishment.
He explained that when completed, with digital equipment, the ABS Radio and Television which he regretted did not cover the State presently would cover the entire South-East states with high definition and quality output.
The governor pointed out that the second phase of transforming the establishment would include placing it on the DSTV to further boost its reach and status.
In his own remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Tony Onyima said that the contract signing was the first phase in the transformation of ABS, noting that the State government was equally committed to building a brand new broadcast complex that would house the new equipment".
Chief Onyima explained that the process of rebuilding the State went through due process and when completed would keep the establishment at par with other forward-looking broadcast organizations.
The Commissioner noted that the new equipment would enhance easy migration of the ABS Radio and Television to digital broadcasting before the deadline of June 15, next year.
The elated new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of ABS, Mr. Uche Nworah assured that the ABS Management team would use the equipment and empowerment to make the government and people of the State proud.
He called on all the stakeholders and Ndi Anambra to give the necessary support and encouragement that the transforming station would need to achieve its goals.
Nworah also expressed the gratitude of the management and staff of ABS to the Obiano government for the various efforts aimed at repositioning the organization and enjoined the people of the State to get prepared for the unleashing of a world class broadcasting content.
"These are happy and interesting times for all of us at ABS. Clearly, the state government has set us on the path of growth and Ndi Anambra will shortly experience a world class broadcasting content.”
The Managing Director of the contracting firm, Mr. Fawaz thanked the government for giving the firm the opportunity to handle such an important project, noting that the company had built over 100 new radio and television stations across the country.
Fawaz assured further that the company would deliver on schedule and with the best quality in the broadcast market.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by ABS Management team, the Managing Director of Anambra Newspapers and Publishing Corporation, publishers of National Light newspapers, Mr. Chuka Nnabuife, and a team from the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.