The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has disclosed that 10,000 jobs would be created for Nigerian technicians and 5,000 for engineers when Nigeria completes the switch-over from analog to digital broadcasting.
He said when the switch-over is implemented, it would allow for a better transmission of programmes and also afford the country the opportunity to have up to 30 national digital television stations.
Mr. Mohammed said there were only four national stations in Nigeria for now.
Speaking when he visited Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State at Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, on Friday, the minister, expressed regrets that Nigeria missed the earlier deadline for the switch-over.
He, however, said the federal government was working toward meeting the June 17, 2016 deadline.
“We will ensure that the digital switch-over programme was a reality”, he said.
Earlier, Mr. Mohammed had commended the governor for restoring peace on the Plateau.
According to him: “The state used to record attacks almost on daily bases. But to the admiration of the entire country, Governor Lalong came with his peace initiative that have not only stopped the killings but also create conducive atmosphere for business to thrive in the state.
“Governor Lalong has done well in this regard because I went round the state to realise that peace has, indeed, returned to the state.
“And I will assure the state government that the federal government will be happy to assist the state government to sustain the ongoing peace so as to make it permanent”.
In his response, Mr. Lalong thanked the federal government for commencing the digitisation programme in Plateau state, and pledged his support for it.
The minister during the visit, embarked on an inspection tour of federal information establishments in the state.
