Commotion as Imo govt moves to demolish its own broadcast station within 72 hours
By Ishaya Ibrahim
An Imo State government task force on Wednesday stormed the premises of the state owned broadcaster, Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), and marked the facility for demolition without providing any reason.
IBC operates Orient 94.5 FM and television services from its premises along Achike Udenwa Road.
The task force, comprising about 15 officials reportedly representing the state’s Monitoring and Compliance Bureau, issued a 72 hour ultimatum to occupants to vacate the premises. A red painted notice was placed on the building’s wall, warning them to leave within the stipulated period.
TheNiche gathered that the development left an already demoralised workforce traumatised and distressed, as the station has been grappling with inadequate funding and staffing under the Imo State government. The last recruitment exercise was reportedly conducted in the 1990s.
It was gathered that neither the Director General of IBC nor the Commissioner for Information, whose ministry supervises the station, was aware of the task force’s visit and the threat to demolish the facility.
Another source alleged that the officials appeared to be pursuing a land acquisition agenda.
The source recalled a similar incident involving the alleged invasion of several acres of land in Owala Uratta, in Owerri North Local Government Area, which reportedly generated controversy and was followed by the suspension of the then Commissioner for Lands, Noble Atulegwu, in November 2023.
Published reports confirm that Atulegwu was suspended by Governor Hope Uzodimma alongside Mbakwe Obi Jnr., the then Special Adviser and General Manager of the Imo State Housing Corporation. However, the government did not state the reasons for their suspension in its initial announcement. Subsequent media reports linked the development to controversies surrounding alleged land acquisitions.
