Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has signed the contract for the modernisation and digitisation of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS).
The move was part of the efforts of his administration to meet the deadline for digitalisation of broadcast media by 2015 and reposition information dissemination machinery to reach the underserved members of the public.
The contract for the new ABS Radio and Television stations was signed at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, by Chief Obiano on behalf of the state government, while Hassan Fawaz, Managing Director of COMFAX Nigeria Limited, signed on behalf of his Company. The contract for the project was valued at N728 million and expected to be delivered within five months.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the state governor said the contract was in fulfillment of his promise to the people of the state to deliver a brand new broadcast organisation complete with modern equipment.
Said Obiano: “We are happy and excited signing this contract today. ABS is an important state institution, we have confidence that the contractor, COMFAX, having gone through a rigorous tendering process will deliver according to the terms.”
He disclosed that the project was the first phase in his administration’s comprehensive plan to upgrade the ABS to a world class broadcast outfit, which started with the appointment of an experienced Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Uche Nworah, to reorganise 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 state and South-East with high definition and quality output.
The governor pointed out that the second phase of repositioning the establishment would include placing the ABS on DSTV Satellite to further boost its reach and status.
In his address, the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Tony Onyima said 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.”
Onyima explained that the process of rebuilding the stations went through due process and when completed would keep the establishment at par with other forward-looking broadcast organisation.
The commissioner noted that the new stations would also enhance easy migration of the ABS Radio and Television to digital broadcasting before the deadline of June 15, next year.
An elated new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of ABS, Mr. Nworah assured that the ABS management team would use the mandate and empowerment to make the government and people of the state proud.
He called on stakeholders and people of the state to give all necessary support and encouragement to achieve the set goal. Nworah expressed the gratitude of the management and staff of ABS to the Willie Obiano government for the various efforts aimed at repositioning the organisation and enjoined the people of the state to get prepared for the unleashing of 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 would shortly experience world class broadcasting content.”
The Managing Director of the contracting firm, Mr. Fawaz thanked the government for affording 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 best quality in the broadcast market.
