Minister Masiu Calls for Urgent Action to Strengthen Provincial Radio Services

Thursday 23 January, 2024

Hon. Timothy Masiu, Minister for Information and Communications Technology, has underscored the need for NBC’s Media and Broadcasting Corporation to improve its services in the provinces.

In his final remarks at the NBC Business Plan Workshop, Minister Masiu identified several challenges affecting the corporation’s ability to serve the people effectively.

Minister Masiu highlighted a significant disconnect between senior management, Directors of Provincial Radio (DPRs), and lower-level staff, resulting in delayed responses to requests from the provinces.

He emphasized the need for faster communication, consultation, and accountability, particularly in addressing the needs of DPRs who interact with people in the provinces daily.

The Minister also pointed out the absence of stringent processes in promoting staff, citing examples of appointments made without proper qualifications. He urged that quality be a fundamental consideration in selecting candidates for key positions.

To address these challenges, Minister Masiu proposed several solutions that includes weekly meetings between top management (SMT) to address critical issues, make swift decisions, and implement changes.

He advocated for a dedicated budget to enable the Director to tackle pressing issues promptly.

The Minister suggested reviewing the distribution of funds for provincial administration, technical needs, and broadcasting requirements.

He urged NBC to strengthen its partnership with NICTA and the Department of ICT, which could help improve services and infrastructure.

Minister Masiu called for a drastic change in the sales office to increase revenue and make the corporation more financially sustainable.

He offered to coordinate with his office to facilitate overseas training for deserving DPRs.

Minister Masiu has made it clear that his focus for 2025 will be on strengthening provincial radio services, and he expects all parties involved to act swiftly to implement the agreed-upon plan.

As a key stakeholder, the Minister has committed to closely monitoring the outcomes of this workshop and ensuring that the proposed changes are effectively implemented in the provinces.

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