By Buba Gagigo
Emma Mendy, the Director of Licensing and Enforcement at the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), confirmed that the Minister of Information has authorized the revocation of licenses for radio stations that failed to respond or make any representation after receiving a notice from PURA.
The Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) held a press conference on Thursday to address concerns about radio stations operating with expired licenses. During a nationwide monitoring exercise in January and February 2024, PURA discovered that five registered radio stations had ceased operations without prior notification to the Authority, violating the PURA Act and the IC Act Section 235(1)(a). The stations in question are Deggo FM, Paradise FM (Basse Radio Station), Sky FM, Libidorr, and Radio 1 FM.
PURA stated that prior to the monitoring exercise, they issued a compliance notice on December 22, 2023, urging radio stations to renew their licenses. Despite this notice, the stations failed to comply, leading PURA to issue a notice of intention to revoke their licenses. The stations were required to submit written representations by July 10, 2024, explaining why their licenses should not be revoked.
During the press conference, Emma Mendy, the Director of Licensing and Enforcement, revealed that some radio stations have since responded to their letter. However, several stations have yet to respond.
“Those that haven’t submitted anything or made any representation, I also want to inform you that, we have also gotten the approval of the Minister of Information to revoke those licenses,” Emma Mendy, the Director of Licensing and Enforcement at the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) said during a Press conference on Thursday.
Legal Licensing and Enforcement Manager, Muhammad Ndure, emphasized the importance of holding radio stations accountable for operating with valid licenses. He stressed that a valid license is mandatory before providing services in the regulated sector and that stakeholders must comply with regulatory requirements to maintain a vibrant broadcasting sector. He listed the number of Radio Stations that have yet to reply to their letter and emphasized that they will follow due process to revoke their licenses.
Deggo FM, Sky FM, Malagen Communication Network, City Limits Radio, Al Fallah Radio, Juneteenth Radio, Nexus FM, Banjul FM, Capital FM and Janneh Koto FM. This was the list of Radio stations as of the 10th of July have not filed any written representation nor any renewal application. All the other radio stations licensed have applied and their applications will be reviewed accordingly and decisions on the application will be made.
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