Rivers govt shuts AIT, Raypower Port Harcourt operations
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Africa Independent Television and Raypower FM's operations in Port Harcourt have been suspended by the Rivers State government.
The operations were taken down, according to a claim on the media organization's website, by telecoms engineers hired by the State Government who were joined by armed security personnel.
The purported contractors were observed detaching the wave guard from the antenna on the mast live on the TV channel as riggers were seen tearing down the mast.
The Rivers State Government also used bulldozers to destroy the transmitter complex at the DAAR Communications PLC Broadcast Centre in Port Harcourt, according to the statement.
"Management of the Company has been caught off guard by the sudden turn of events as efforts to amicably resolve issues with the State Government were in high gear, but the no notice incident is a heavy source of concern," the statement reads.
Some employees of the telecom contractor "told AIT that they were working on a directive from above to start demolition on Sunday as opposed to a later date" despite the severe rains.
According to reports, the state government and Daar Communications, Plc. have been at odds over the land since March of this year, when the AIT/RayPower Radio station established its transmission station.