A delegation of the Upper Chamber of Nigeria’s Parliament, the Senate, has paid a visit to the site of the demolished Breeze FM in Lafia, Nasarawa State, to commiserate with the owners of the media house.
After inspecting the ruins of the private radio station on Sunday, June 4, 2017, the Senate Committee on National Orientation and Information, led by its chairman, Suleiman Adokwe, described the demolition as “saddening and unfortunate.”
The Nasarawa Urban Development Board pulled down the building housing the station on May 22, citing alleged violation of land approval laws and claiming that the station’s facilities posed a health hazard to nearby residents.
The management of the outfit, however, rejected such claims, insisting that the station had been targeted “for political reasons.”
Senator Adokwe said that the visit was to commiserate with the station’s management, relay the Senate’s condemnation of the demolition, and demonstrate support and solidarity.
“We condemn this action in its totality. It is reprehensible. It is uncalled for and undemocratic. That is why we are here. This trend should not be accepted in a democratic setting”, he said.
The Senator also stated that the demolition of Breeze FM’s physical infrastructure is a violation of citizens’ right to receive information.
“Information should be disseminated to people without any hindrance. Destroying a harmless radio station is denying the people the right to freedom of information,” he said.
The MFWA welcomes the Nigerian Senate’s show of solidarity with the Management of Breeze FM. We wish to urge the law makers to use their good offices to press the government of Nasarawa State to provide compensation to the owners of the demolished station to enable them resume their important work of informing the public and helping promote good governance.
