The Plateau State Government has pledged to subsidize the cost of “set top” boxes for its citizens, as the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in broadcasting spreads from the state capital in Jos to other parts of the  to the state.

Governor Simon Lalong made the announcement in Jos on Tuesday after Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, paid him a courtesy visit along with members of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on the digital switch over (DSO).

Lalong said the state is prepared to take full advantage of the DSO for the benefit of the citizenry.

He described the pilot launch of the DSO in Jos as a welcome development, coming at a time when peace has been restored in the state.

“On our part, we are taking this seriously and we have advised the Commissioner for Information to also start processing for the advantage of the citizenry here on the Plateau because even if they cannot afford (to acquire the boxes), we are preparing to subsidize for them,’’ the Governor said.

The Minister thanked the state government for its support for the DSO programme and expressed satisfaction with the progress so far recorded since the launch of the pilot phase on 30th April 2016.

Lai Mohammed said the stakeholders would continue to improve on the distribution and activation of the Set-Top Boxes, while also working to correct any lapses that may occur.

He urged the state government to take full advantage of the DSO by assisting the citizens to acquire the boxes, without which they cannot enjoy the benefits of the DSO.

As part of pilot phase, the Federal Government has provided 200,000 Set-Top Boxes free of charge for the residents of Jos.

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PLSG to subsidize the cost of set top boxes for digital switch over