Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, has begun moves to revive the long-abandoned Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Amukpe Station in Sapele, Delta State, in a bid to restore public broadcasting and improve access to information across the state.
The initiative followed a meeting between the senator and the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, where both parties discussed practical steps to bring the station back on air after years of inactivity.
The Amukpe facility remains the only NTA station in Delta State outside the Asaba station.
Speaking after the meeting, Dafinone described the planned restoration of the station as a major investment in communication, community development and cultural preservation.
According to him, reviving the station would strengthen communication between government and the people, promote the rich cultural heritage of Delta Central, create employment opportunities for media professionals and support local businesses through advertising and other economic activities.
“The revival of the NTA Community Station in Amukpe is about giving our people a stronger voice and ensuring that communities in Delta Central have access to quality public broadcasting. Beyond information dissemination, the station will promote our cultural identity, stimulate economic activities and provide opportunities for young professionals in the media industry,” the senator said.
Dafinone reaffirmed his commitment to working with the management of the Nigerian Television Authority and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the project is successfully completed for the benefit of the people of Delta Central.
Responding, the Director-General of the NTA, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, welcomed the senator’s intervention and reiterated the authority’s commitment to expanding quality public broadcasting across Nigeria.
He said community television stations play a vital role in public enlightenment, education, cultural promotion and national development, adding that the NTA would continue to collaborate with public office holders and development partners to strengthen its broadcast infrastructure.
The planned revival is expected to restore television broadcasting to Sapele and surrounding communities, provide a platform for local news and development programmes, create opportunities for young media practitioners and reinforce the NTA’s public service broadcasting mandate.
