Kogi Government Owned Radio Station Shuts Down for lack of Diesel
Bidemi
Confluence FM also known as Radio Kogi has shutdown due to lack of diesel and generating set.
The only Broadcast outfit of Kogi State Government which most people in the state depend on for information of government policies and programmes went off air at few minutes past 8am on Tuesday.
Investigations by our Reporter indicate that the Station does not get adequate power supply and Generator which is the reliable source of power could not be fuelled due to lack of funds.
The State Radio has been barred from getting monthly imprest.
Also, our Reporter gathered that the Director General of Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Alhaji Ojo Oyila has been fuelling the Radio from his salary and he could not sustain it due to the present economic challenges in the country.
This development is very unfortunate as most people who depend on the State Radio to get information especially now that Nigeria is battling with the Covid-19 pandemic.
A Resident of Lokoja, Mohammed Lawal said “the Radio is not supposed to go off air now that Schools are under lock and key and the teaching programme has been put on hold. Students are not happy with the development.“
Lawal appealed to the State Government to quickly come to the aid of the State Radio to be back on air immediately.
Mrs. Kemi Ojo on her part said the Radio needed to be funded to broadcast for at least 18hrs daily.
“If what am hearing is true about how Radio Kogi has been working, the management has been performing miracle to be on air”
Equipment like Transmitter, generator, Computers and studio facilities used by the State Radio are currently obsolete.
Although the present administration has tried its best for the Radio with the recruitment of Staff last year, the best is not enough.
It could be recalled that recently, Kogi State Executive recently approved the resuscitation of the State Radio but the process is yet to take off.