Taraba State government signs N2.2billion digitalisation contract

The Taraba State Government on Tuesday signed a N2.2 billion contract with Pinnacle Communications Nigeria Limited, for the digitisation of the state owned Radio Station, Taraba State Broadcasting Service (TSBS).

Digitisation is the current trend in broadcasting, globally, and involves a process of storing images in a form suitable for transmission and computer processing or other devices like digital camera.

Signing on behalf of the State Government, the Commissioner of Information and Reorientation, Anthony Danburam, said the contract was in fulfillment of the governor’s campaign promises to beat the 2017 dateline for the full digitalisation of all broadcast media organisations in the country.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, had estimated that with digitisation, the TV industry in Nigeria will be able to raise over $1 billion in one year, while also increasing the number of the current 450 TV stations in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Danburam explained that the digitisation contract included the supply and installation of complete state of the art digital radio studio and transmission equipment for the TSBS AM/FM stations in Jalingo.

He also disclosed that Pinnacle Communications would also supply and install digital equipment for Bali, Sardauna and Wukari booster stations, including frequency modulated (FM) feeder stations.

According to him, “Pinnacle Communications would supply and install 50 kilowatts and 10 kilowatts AM and FM digital transmission studios, digital Outside Broadcast Vans, and 10 kilowatts digital transmitter/studios each for Bali, Sardauna and Wukari booster stations.”

The Commissioner applauded Pinnacle Communications, one of the licensed signal carriers under the Digital Switch Over (DSO), for carrying out an excellent job on the state television, which he said can now be accessed from all parts of the world.

No fewer than 50 staff of the broadcasting services according to him, would be trained, who would in turn train over 100 others for optimal utilisation of the digital equipment.

Speaking on behalf of the Pinnacle Communication, James Segun, assured that the company will deliver an excellent job for the state Radio.

Segun, who said the job would be completed within seven months, disclosed that Pinnacle Communications has an industry track record and was committed to delivering quality services to both the Taraba Television and the Radio.