The Nigerian Police in a bid to strengthen security in the Country, as well as create jobs, has decided to establish the Nigerian Police Broadcasting Service (NPBS) and the Nigerian Police Emergency Response (NPER).
The proposed NPBS which will broadcast nationwide on television, radio and online will have its headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory.
NPBS is expected to hit the airwaves from November 28, 2017 with a fund raising ceremony at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. The stations will however be opened January 30, 2019 in the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Skytick International Limited, Edirin Jerry Wesley, whose company the contract was awarded, promised to ensure the realization of the project.
He also stated that the NPBS will focus on four areas of operations which include TV, Radio, Online and Emergency Control Centre, adding that the project, which is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the Nigeria Police, will help to curb insecurity by prompt respond to emergency situations.
“About 5,000 young Nigerians will be engaged and trained by 50 expatriate (Professionals from CNN, BBC and other foreign media Organisations) for three years”.
Wesley explained that the NPBS will not source for commercial adverts for sustainability; rather its survival will depend largely on sponsorship from corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians.
He noted that transmission will be done in both Pidgin English and other Nigerian Languages in order to carry everyone along.
Meanwhile, in a presentation made to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Ono Akpe representing the police said the project is expected to gulp $500 million, without the Nigeria Police making any financial contributions.
He explained that the company will operate the NPBS for a period of 20 years, before handing over to the Nigeria Police, adding that the Nigeria Police is only obligated, under the MOU, to provide land in the 36 states and the FCT for construction of the television and radio stations.
“The Nigeria Police has executed an MOU with Skytick International Limited. The company under the MOU is obliged to raise the required funds to construct, purchase and install all needed equipment, including the helicopter and drones, for the effective operation of the project throughout the country”.
He also stated that the stations would improve the work of the Police, regarding security of lives and properties, emphasizing that people would be educated on security and protection of lives and properties, especially those in the oil and crime zones.
“NPBS would ensure that the Nigerian public has access to an efficient and effect Police service that meets their security and safety needs through delivery of its strategic objectives”.
It is hoped that the station would be able to fight fake news that are crime related. The number of deaths in an attack which is often exaggerated by other independent news media will find accuracy.
