Senator - NTA Refuses To Give Senate Session Live Broadcast

PHOTO: SENATOR AYOGU EZE.

Abuja (THEWILL) – The Senate has accused the management of the Nigerian Television Authority of sabotaging its planned live broadcast to Nigerians of its debate on the health and absence of Nigerian President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Senate’s spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze who was very angry told journalists that the Senate had earlier reached a deal with the management of the television station to send its camera crew to cover the session but the Director General of the station Mr. Usman Magawata apparently pulled the plug. Eze promised a full investigation into the matter.

“I want to let all Nigerians know that this morning, we were billed to beam the debate and all other things that happened in the chamber live.

“We had informed NTA accordingly and the NTA management refused to bring their cameras and I believe it was an attempt to frustrate the efforts of the Senate to brief the people of Nigeria live, so that they can see what we are talking about.

“I also think it was an attempt to frustrate the independent arm of government, because this is a legislature and not part of the executive.

“We had commissioned NTA, as I spoke with the DG of NTA on Monday night and he gave me no indication that he would not come with their cameras this morning.

“I think he owes it a duty to the people of Nigeria to tell them about this sabotage to frustrate an arm of government. This is what we have been talking about that the legislature is the whipping boy of Nigerian democracy because it is the youngest arm and therefore, people can conspire and do whatever they like.

“I think it was in a very bad taste for NTA management, under the directive of who ever, to do what they did today because that station is run with money contributed by Nigerians.

“They’ve come to defend their budget and with provision for them on yearly basis, they have no reason whatsoever not to avail their services to the Nigerian people who indeed own the station,” he added.

The Nigerian Television Authority is under Nigeria’s Ministry of Information. THEWILL was unable to reach NTA’s Mr. Magawata to comment on the allegation.