Rivers State Government has reportedly shut down the Africa Independent Television, AIT, and Raypower FM operations in Port Harcourt.
AIT on its official X former Twitter page yesterday, announced that the State Government shut down its operations through contracted telecommunications engineers accompanied by armed security operatives.
“The contractors disconnected the wave guard from the antenna on the mast while riggers were seen dismantling the mast.
“Also, bulldozers were deployed to demolish the Transmitter Complex at DAAR Communications PLC Broadcast Centre,” it said.
The telecommunications’ contractor’s official told the organization that they were working on a directive from above to commence demolition on Sunday.
It was reported that the State government had in March given DAAR Communication Plc 48-hours to quit the complex, stating that the area has been mapped out for GRA Phase 5 Ozuoba.
However, unconfirmed sources say the action by the state government may be infurtherance of the face-off between former governor Nyesom Wike now FCT minister and the late owner of the communications outfit, Chief Raymond Dokpesi for not supporting his presidential bid in the last elections.
Port Harcourt Spectator recalls that few weeks after the PDP primaries where Wike lost to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the State Assembly through a petition by the people of Ozuoba, host community of AIT in the state, alleged that the outfit was illegally occupying the said land as it has no valid documents stating that they are the real owners.
The assembly following further meetings stripped AIT off ownership of several plots within the complex and restricted it to only areas housing it studio and office facilities.
