A Free TV dealer headquartered in Kano Aminu Nuruddeen Amin, today expressed doubts over the recent relaunch of the Free TV plan by the federal government, urging potential investors and dealers to be wary of the programme, based on his experience with the previous Digital Switch Over (DSO) operation.
Amin told journalists in Kano that he invested over ₦100 million in equipment and related supplies after taking part in a government-sponsored training session in 2019 but said the initiative failed to live up to its billings.
“Many of us put a lot of money into the business, spurred on by the promises made at launch. “Personally, I invested over ₦100 million,” he stated.
He said they were first informed the platform will have more than 30 television channels and that more channels would be added after the debut. But he said the expansion was never achieved and the service thereafter endured long delays, Daily Trust said.
“The network was completely off air for a period of over 6 months, leaving subscribers without service and dealers with damaged reputation and unsold inventory,” said Amin.
“I was surprised about the government’s latest Free TV rollout where up to 100 channels are promised,” he said, adding that there are less channels available now than claimed.
“So it is surprising that yet another version of the Free TV initiative has now been launched with new promises of delivering up to 100 channels,” he said.
Amin urged the federal government to clarify what happened to earlier DSO investments and commitments while appealing to the National Broadcasting Commission and other stakeholders to give clear operational and commercial guarantees for the new effort.
Under the prior arrangement, I experienced huge financial losses, so I feel it is my responsibility to come up and warn people not to make investment decisions based on promises,” he added.
He also called on the consumer protection and anti-corruption organisations to rigorously monitor the implementation of the initiative for openness and accountability.
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