Reprieve on Saturday came the way of 52 broadcast stations as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) extended the period which all outstanding debts are to be paid from 24 hours to Wednesday, August 23.

Director-General of NBC, Malam Balarabe Ilelah, made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

The NBC had on Friday revoked the licenses of the AIT/Ray Power FM (DAAR Communication L.td.), Silverbird TV Network and 50 other stations over N2.6 billion debts.

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The commission ordered the affected stations to shut down in the next 24 hours and directed NBC offices nationwide to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.

Ilelah, however, said that the extension of the enforcement date was due to an appeal by the affected broadcast stations, relevant stakeholders, public spirited individuals and organisations.

“This is to inform all the affected broadcast stations whose licenses were revoked and given 24 hours to pay all outstanding license fees that NBC has extended the period which all outstanding debts are to be paid from 24 hours to Wednesday August 23.

“All affected broadcast stations who fail to defray their debts on or before August 23, 2022, are directed to shut down by 12a.m. on August 24, 2022,” the DG said.

The Star