NTA Okene, a prolonged dream

NTA Okene at construction phase

By Ismail M. Kabir

My recent visit to the abandoned site of Okene station of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) was very disappointing.

For over six years since the idea of establishing a local TV station in the central senatorial district of Kogi state, the people have waited in vain for a media station that continue to exist only in their imagination. Similar facility in the two other senatorial districts in the sate (Western and Eastern senatorial districts) have since commenced operation.

Several failed promises by successive governments in the state including an official visit by the former governor Ibrahim Idris led by the then honourable commissioner of of information, Dr. Tom Ohikere have left the NTA substation to a mere hope.

In October last year, chairmen from the 5 local government council of Kogi central viz Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori-Magongo, Okehi and Okene Local government areas, visited the abandoned station with renewed zeal to ensure that the project was completed and became operational.

The chairmen, during the visit, promised to do everything neccessary to put the station to work inroder to keep the people abreast of happenings around the nation while providing jobs to the youth in the area.

To our dismay, 10 months later, nothing has happened. Located within 50 meters radius from the family house of Senator Nurudeen Abatemi, a serving senator and the highest elected political officer from the community, the station remains a captivating structure with a tall mast that readily provides easy address to visitors in the area.

Members of the community have since adopted the only private radio station in the area, Tao 101.9 FM now delivering a 14-hour daily broadcast to the community and other audience in about four states of the federation.