UYO
The Akwa Ibom government has acquired an ultra-modern 10 KW Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Terrestrial Transmitter for its own Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC-TV).
This is in the quest to bridge the gap in digital television broadcasting for the station and also expand its reach to Akwa Ibom masses and beyond.
The transmitter was unveiled to the public, Monday, by the commissioner for information and strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, when he undertook an on-the-spot facility tour of Akwa Ibom broadcasting transmitting station at Ntak Inyang.
Ememobong, who was accompanied on the tour by the permanent secretary, Akparawa James Edet and management staff of the ministry, stated that the transmitter was acquired by Gov Udom Emmanuel for the station towards improving the picture and sound output of the TV station and expand its reach to all the people of Akwa Ibom and beyond.
The information commissioner reiterated that, the state government was committed to providing a conducive working environment for staff of AKBC for maximum productivity adding that the procurement of the new ultra modern transmitter was one step in that direction.
He appreciated the governor for his continuous support to AKBC and particularly for the acquisition of transmitter which is largest in capacity, newest of its kind towards enhancing the quality of the distribution of signals.
Ememobong asserted that with the new transmitter and the caliber of workforce of AKBC, the station now stands to compete favourably with any other station in the country and commended the staff for the great work they have been doing even in very difficult circumstances.
The commissioner applauded the governor for granting approval for the employment of 35 percent of contract staffworking with AKBC, emphasizing that the employment will be based strictly on merit with such criteria as: long years of service, dedication and commitment to duties as parameters while also taking into consideration the geographical spread of all the applicants.
The permanent secretary, Edet, remarked that the newly acquired terrestrail transmitter expand the reach beyond the shores of the state and opined that when installed it will provide an atmosphere of joy and happiness for staff of AKBC, giving them a merry and red Christmas.
While leading the commissioner and his entourage round the facilities, the director general AKBC, Pastor Anietie Ukpe, noted that the newly acquired transmitter imported from Italy, is designated for a frequency range of 300 megahertz and 3 Gigahertz .
“This transmitter will extend our reach, it will improve picture quality. It is the latest of its kind in terms of terrestrial broadcasting. The most important thing is to reach Akwa Ibom people wherever they are without paid subscription,” the DG stated.
He commended Ememobong for his supportive role in taking AKBC to greater heights in broadcasting, hinting that, the transmitter will be operational within two weeks.
Ukpe informed the visiting team that, the station was expecting more equipment from China which would enhance a sychroncronized digital studio production.
“To ensure that we hit unto the digital trunk of the world, input of the studio must be digitized. We have made a lot of advances in terms of digitization and the materials were right now at the high sea soon to be delivered to us”, he assured.
The director of programmes, AKBC, Mrs Helen Archibong,thanked the commissioner and management staff of the ministry for finding time to come for the facility tour and requested that, the commissioner should extend his welfare packages to AKBC staff.
She pledged that the newly acquired ultra-modern transmitter will be judiciously handled to meet the goals of government.
High point of the facility tour witnessed by management staff of AKBC TV and Radio stations, was the extension of cash gifts to all the staff of AKBC as a morale booster by the commissioner for information and strategy, Ememobong.
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