The Federal Government plans to repair International Radio Monitoring Stations (IRMS) across Nigeria to check illegal radio frequency spectrum operations in the nation’s airspace.
The plan was revealed in a statement issued by Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare, Special Assistant on Media to Barrister Adebayo Shittu, the Minister of Communications.
“In a move to counter seditious broadcast by rebellious groups, which is an anathema to national security, the Federal Government is set to rehabilitate all International Radio Monitoring Stations (IRMS) across the country,” the Ministry of Communications says.
The facilities were established to guide against illegal use of the radio frequency airspace for unauthorized broadcast by proscribed groups, political and ethnic-motivated dissidents, according to the government body.
“The Federal Ministry of Communications has adequately appropriated for rehabilitation works on the IRMS facilities across the country in the 2016 Federal Government budget,” according to the Ministry.
It says that the IRMS facilities in Nigeria were for security surveillance to monitor radio broadcast activities, and warned land speculators to steer clear of the IRMS property in various parts of the country.
“Government has consequently warned against any illegal occupation and acquisition of any fraction of land on which these infrastructures are located.”
According to Ministry of Communications, the IRMS facility at Ipaja in Lagos covering the South-West geo-political zone was one of such strategically located stations in various parts of Nigeria.
“Because of the strategic importance of these infrastructures, the general public is warned against purchase or acquisition of any part of the monitoring stations.
“The IRMS facilities are located in Azare, Gusau, Ipaja and Ogoja, to monitor broadcast activities across the country and its borders,” the Mnistry said.
