Benedict Okache, Calabar Inline with the new information order being pioneered by the Governor Benedict Ayade led administration in the State, re-calibration work on CRBC studio equipments and offices have commenced in earnest with the aim of returning to the 24-Hour-non-stop broadcasting under the new name of CRBC Plus.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Comrade Asu Okang, who led top management of the Ministry to inspect different sections of the Corporation, directed that evacuation of obsolete equipment, and reconstruction of offices to meet the new cost effective set up must begin immediately, pointing out that the old reception must give way for a modern one while the library for both audio and video materials would be relocated to accommodate the rebranded news and programmes editing suites as well as newsroom for staff.
Comrade Okang, who was taken round on the guided inspection by the Acting General Manager, Mr. Eniang Ndem and Heads of Departments in the Corporation, stated that the aim of the recalibration of studio equipments and re-ordering of office space was basically targeted at improving on the Station’s reach and reducing the current huge cost of running the Corporation, which is not sustainable and has brought the hitherto numero uno broadcasting house in the State, to her present epileptic situation, emphasizing that the current 350 KVA alternative power generating plant that consumes more than a drum of diesel every day was too homoguous to bear under the new dispensation.
To cut down on this huge daily running cost as well as restore the lost glory of the Corporation, the Information & Orientation Commissioner disclosed that a 10 Kilowatts Transmitter for Radio and another 15 Kilowatts for Television have been ordered to replace the current ones while a brand new 100 KVA Generating Plant that would conveniently power both Radio/Television Transmitters along with all other ancillary equipments such as Air conditioners, Refrigerators, fans and lighting points that will keep the station up and running for 24 hours non-stop and with less diesel consumption will be installed immediately.
He said, when Calabar is completed, CRBC Ikom will also benefit from similar re-calibration of equipment under the new information agenda of the Governor Ayade government, pointing out that a new Interlink equipment is being put in place that would make CRBC Ikom Radio and Television Stations easily link up with CRBC Calabar State-wide programme transmissions such as News, Good Morning Cross River daily broadcast, among other State government’s people oriented programmes to keep the citizenry fully abreast of government laudable initiatives.
Comrade Okang charged the technical and professional staff of the Corporation to brace up to the new arrangements especially in the quick installation work within the shortest time possible while content must be scaled up to meet current realities.
Some staff of the Corporation, who bared their minds on condition of anonymity said, they were highly excited with the rebranding work that would culminate in the new CRBC Plus, adding that the new order would impact on them positively as well as ignite the new spirit of efficiency in service delivery with the ultimate aim of increased revenue generation.
Other media watchers lauded Governor Ayade for the political will to kick-start the rebranding of CRBC and urged him to back words with action through adequate funding of the work to guarantee completion, noting that the people of Central and Northern Senatorial districts of the State would be the greatest beneficiaries of the new information order in the State, as they will be regularly updated with government policies and programmes through the up link between CRBC Calabar and Ikom stations.
