Rivers Govt shuts Operations of AIT, Raypower

The Rivers State Government has shut down operations of the Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

The operations were shutdown in an invasion operation by telecommunications engineers contracted by the State Government who were accompanied by armed security operatives.

A statement from DAAR Communication said the contractors disconnected the wave guard from the antenna on the mast while riggers were seen dismantling the mast.

It added that bulldozers were also deployed by the Rivers State Government to demolish the Transmitter Complex at the DAAR Communications PLC Broadcast Centre in Port Harcourt.

It added that the management of the company had been taken by surprise following the sudden turn of events as efforts were in top gear to resolve issues with the state government amicably, saying that the no notice incident is a heavy source of concern.

“Some officials of the telecommunications contractor told AIT that they were working on a directive from above to start demolition on Sunday despite the heavy rains as against a later date,” the statement said.