By Bolarinwa Akande
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has rolled out a new policy initiative for a two-week maximum timeline for the issuance of licenses for movie distribution in the country.
The goal, according to the agency, is to ease and speed up the licensing mechanism for movie distribution and exhibition in Nigeria as a key activity of the movie sector of the nation’s economy.
The Board however said in a statement that the new licensing regime will only benefit those that meet all requirements for any given category of license sought.
The new policy which takes effect from October will also see the nation’s movie industry regulator not having any form of business or interaction with those parading themselves as distributors or exhibition premises without valid license.
Director General of the agency, Ms. Patricia Bala, has already mandated the Licensing and Documentation Department to exercise due diligence and ensure that all applicants meet all the stipulated requirements for the various categories of the licenses.