LESS than 72 hours to the end of the ongoing Nigeria 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Africa Independent Television (AIT), which was awarded the broadcast rights by FIFA, is being owed about N3.5 billion by the main Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the competition.

AIT, according to investigations, has not been paid a kobo by the LOC, though it spent about N12 billion to put the International Broadcast Co-ordination Centre (IBCC), where all the broadcast activities for the competition are being co-ordinated and later distributed to the various international stations.

It was gathered that AIT, because of its lean purse, could no longer provide the required services to the world, having been cut off by the MTN, which is its service provider, as a result of non-payment.

Further findings have it that AIT is indebted to the sum of N700 million, which is the amount MTN is claiming for providing fibre optic, internet connectivity and telephone lines being used at the competition, which has now been cut off.

What that means is that, transmitting of the remaining matches and the closing ceremony will not be taken live and this is contrary to the contract AIT signed with FIFA before it was awarded the broadcast rights.

Reacting to the internet problem, FIFA, through its media officer, Arai Hidenori, a Japanese, informed AIT that there was still no internet and fixed lines at the IBCC, “we need connections for tomorrow’s match; please, help us.”

Mr. Tony Akiotu, the Acting Managing Director of Daar Communication Plc, the parent body of AIT, told the Nigerian Tribune, on Thursday, in his office, that the situation was very critical.

Mr. Akiotu confirmed that MTN had cut off AIT’s internet facilities, because of the N700 million it was owing them, adding, “this is not our fault, as the Local Organising Committee (LOC) is yet to pay a kobo up to date. And as I talk to you, we are, indebted to Fidelity Bank Plc, having taken a loan from it to prosecute the project. The total expenditure is a little over N12 billion which was used to purchase eight uplink trucks, building of the IBCC and equipping it with the required standard internet facilities and other relevant facilities, as recommended by FIFA.

“I must say the LOC has not been fair to us after everything said and done. In fact, we requested for N5 billion, which was later reduced to about N3.5 billion after a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Harmonisation and Negotiation, headed by Director-General of the National Sports Commission, (NSC), Chief Patrick Ekeji, which approved the said amount.

“We (AIT) agreed to the amount simply because we believed that as a Nigerian company, we should be seen to be contributing our little quota to the development of the nation and this we have done through the sacrifice we’ve made as far as the Host Broadcast Rights are concerned.

“ It is obvious the LOC is insensitive to our plight.

“We have written about eight letters to government on the issue, hoping for the best, held meetings with the Sports Minister and LOC officials but nothing has improved.

“This is rather frustrating. We held trust for the LOC as Host Broadcasters, with FIFA in the picture, only to be denied our entitlements. We cannot guarantee that the final and closing ceremony will be transmitted live to the world, as MTN has cut off its services. As Host Broadcasters, we are to provide the signals to the world. We have the mandate to produce highlights of the matches to be sent to all the stations the world over. But I am afraid, this will not be possible, unless we settle the debt we are owing MTN. It will be embarrassing if we fail to send signals out,” Akiotu stated.

All efforts to get the comments of the LOC proved abortive, as the mobile line of Emeka Odikpo, General Manager, Media, was not going through.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/13112009/news/news3.html

First it was the scandal of upgrading SD to HD equipment at the cost of N8 Billion of which South Africa bought a brand new HD at a lesser cost (Meanwhile, the equipment were not used eventually). The age-scandal rocking the Golden Eaglets presently is yet to die down and now this. I ask, when will scandal cease in this country?

Me think, tournaments of this magnitude generate profit for the host nation. I won't be surprise if LOC declares loss at the end of the day.

AIT should employ all strategy at their disposal to get paid, even if it means not showing the closing ceremony. After all, this is business! Enough of square pegs in round holes in this country.

Not show the final match ke? If na joke, make them stop am.

Wat the f.uck.
What has broadcastìng got 2do wit MTN again?
I tot those uplink trucks hv the ability 2link up with space satellites scattered all over the globe.
AIT ìs not just telling it all.

K. I now get it.
AIT want 2use this ploy 2collect the money being owed it, cos after the competition. . .story, story, story will now be the game play of the LOC.
AIT. . .smart move!!