The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says it has reached substantial agreement with the Pinnacle Communications Limited in the interest of the nation’s Digital Switch-Over project (DSO).
Pinnacle Communications Ltd had been in a bitter legal tussle with the NBC over a transaction which the former argue was manipulated against them.

 The Director-General of the Commission, Malam Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, made the disclosure at a Reconciliatory and Interactive meeting with the Management of Pinnacle Communications Ltd., on Friday in Abuja.

 Kawu said that Pinnacle Communications was a very strong leader in the Nigerian broadcasting industry, adding that over the years, NBC developed a very cordial and mutually-beneficial relationship with the company.

 He said that it was clear that for as long as the issue between NBC and the company was not resolved, the DSO was going to remain ``tainted and mired in some form of controversy''.

 `` So, finding a resolution to that problem was an important issue for me, from the moment that I was appointed Director-General of the NBC.

 `` We held several meetings with representatives of Pinnacle Communications Ltd. on the soared points that led to their seeking legal redress.

 `` And our Minister, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, who also played a major role in seeking a resolution of the impasse, gave reassurances that led us to a point where the two parties agreed.

 ``That we needed to move on from distrust to a re-affirmation of commitment to finding success, collectively, for the Nigerian DSO.

 `` I am happy to report that we have reached substantial agreement in the interest of Nigeria's DSO, `` Kawu said.

 He said that when Pinnacle Communications Ltd. became the preferred bidders and winners of the Second National License as the Second signal distributors for the Nigerian DSO, ``it looked like a consolidation of a process that was going to help us speed up the Nigerian digital switchover''.

 `` Unfortunately, it was soon after that process that the relationship between the two parties became strained leading to the institution of a legal action by Pinnacle Communications Ltd',`` the director-general said.

 He said after resolution it was agreed that Pinnacle Communications would served as the signal distributors for the next phase of the DSO in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

 According to him, the decision is a reflection of how far the NBC has gone to remove distrust between the parties involved.

 Kawu assured all stakeholders of the commitment of the commission to continue to provide the level playing field for the resolution of problems that might arise in the process of the DSO.

 He also expressed commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the DSO process, saying `` Buhari’s inspired leadership has been behind the drive to ensure that Nigeria does not miss the deadline of June 2017''.

 Responding, the Executive Director, Pinnacle Communications Ltd., Mr Dipo Onifade, confirmed that the matter had been resolved totally due to the confidence that the company had in the new leadership of NBC.

 `` We trust the people at the helm of affairs at NBC and the Minister of Information and Culture.

 `` We want to assure the NBC that you have our full support as your success is our success, `` Onifade said.