THE Minister of Communication and Information, Mr. John Odey has said that it is imperative for Nigeria to switch over to digital broadcasting technology if the nation would not become a dumping ground for analogue equipment.

The Minister said this at the inauguration of the presidential advisory committee on the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria last Monday in Abuja. Odey, who was represented by the Minister of State for Communication, Alhaji Dasuki Nakande, noted that the nation cannot afford to be left behind in the switch over when the nation consider the drastic consequences of not switching over to digital.

According to him: "The government is fully aware that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in view of the drastic consequences on our broadcast industry and the overall information sector. If we do not follow the trend, our country will become a dumping ground for analogue equipment apart from losing other benefits associated with digitalisation."

"Your task, distinguished personages, is to deliberate on the implications of digitalisation and provide government with policy framework for the implementation of the process."

The Minister stressed the need for the Committee to come up with a policy framework, that the country will adopt. The policy framework will be complied by various broadcast stations. "So that Nigeria will have a unified transmission across the country."