By Endurance Ikanone
Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has intensified efforts to restore the long abandoned Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Community Station in Amukpe, Sapele, in a move expected to strengthen grassroots broadcasting and expand access to public information across the district.
The senator made the commitment during a meeting with the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, where both parties discussed practical steps toward bringing the station back on air after years of inactivity.
The Amukpe facility is the only NTA community station in Delta State outside the Asaba station. Since it ceased operations, residents of Sapele and neighbouring communities have relied largely on private broadcasters for local television content, leaving a gap in public service broadcasting at the grassroots.
Speaking after the meeting, Senator Dafinone described the proposed revival as a strategic investment in communication, community development and cultural preservation.
According to him, restoring the station would improve the flow of information 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 increased 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 closely with the management of the Nigerian Television Authority and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the project is successfully implemented for the benefit of the people of Delta Central.
The Director General of the NTA, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, welcomed the senator's intervention and reaffirmed the authority's commitment to expanding quality public broadcasting across the country.
He noted that community television stations remain vital platforms for education, public enlightenment, 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 in line with its public service mandate.
The move aligns with ongoing efforts by the NTA to modernise its operations and improve the reach of its community broadcasting network, particularly in underserved areas where access to credible public information remains essential.
If successfully revived, the Amukpe Community Station is expected to restore television broadcasting to Sapele and surrounding communities, provide a platform for local news and development programming, encourage youth participation in the creative industry and reinforce the NTA's longstanding role as Nigeria's foremost public service broadcaster.
