The rift between the presidency and the National Assembly over budget implementation is necessary, Senate President David Mark said in Abuja yesterday.
He spoke at the second anniversary and mobile TV launch of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), StarTimes Television network. He, however, said the rift between the duo has been exaggerated, noting that both arms of government were working for the benefit of Nigerians.
"It does not matter what percent of the budget has been implemented. The ordinary Nigerian must see the dividends of democracy," he said.
Mark advised NTA-STAR TV to extend their coverage to rural areas and to develop their content to meet the requirements of its audience.
Earlier, Information Minister Labaran Maku urged the Chinese partners to work closely with NTA in order for it to meet its analogue to digital transmission deadline by 2015.
Pang Xin Xing, Chairman, StarTimes Group, said the network which has since commenced operations in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Lagos, Anambra, Rivers, Ibadan and Port-Harcourt, intends to expand to eight cities across the country by the end of 2012 and nationwide by 2014.
Daily Trust