The Chinese government Wednesday handed over 1,000 digital television villages in Nigeria to the Federal Government.
It said the completion of the project was a significant milestone in access to digital television service across the country.
The Chief Executive Officer of StarTimes, the Chinese company handling the project, Mr David Zhang, hailed the Nigerian government for making the project a reality.
At a ceremony to mark the completion and handover of the project at A Class Park, Abuja, Mr Zhang said the project is “not only promoting access to digital television across the country but also enhancing people to people cultural exchange”.
He added: “As we hand over the 1,000 digital villages in Nigeria, it is our belief that this project is a true testament of what can be achieved in cooperation between governments and the input of the private sector in promoting the socio-economic and political prosperity of our economies.
“I am happy to report that all the 1,000 digital villages now have fully installed and operational digital television service comprising 2,000 sets of solar-powered projector TV systems, 1,000 units of 32-inch digital TV sets, satellite dishes and accessories within public facilities, such as schools, youth centres and other public areas in each of the villages.
“In addition, there are 20,000 satellite TV terminals, including set-top boxes (STBs), satellite dishes and accessories within households across the country who have benefitted from this project.”
He said over 1,000 maintenance technicians, who had acquired specialised skills training in digital television equipment installation, were also on the ground to ensure the sustainability of the project.
“Through this project, thousands of Nigeria residents now have an opportunity to digitally access not just entertainment but also educative content both at the public areas and at the comfort of their homes.
“This is a significant development as the beneficiaries now have over 100 local and international channels to choose from key in bridging the digital divide,” Zhang said.
StarTimes Chief Operating Officer Tunde Aina said the essence of the project is to grant access to people who are disadvantaged, especially in the rural areas.
The company chief stressed that it would further enrich people’s knowledge about government programmes and activities.
“What we are doing today is the completion ceremony of this project. As you know, the project is a grant from Chinese government to the Nigerian people and we will be implementing it. We have installed in 1,000 villages across Nigeria. It was completed in May; so, this is the formal handing over ceremony from China to Nigeria,” he said.