South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State government this week announced plans to re-open the state-owned Aweil Television and Radio, suspended in 2015 due to financial constraints.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, the state information minister, William Anyuon Kuol, said the plans will soon be finalized when the state governor returns to the state.
Anyuon stated that the state media will help disseminate government plans and works.
“People don’t know what activities are implemented by the government. They should listen to the news through radio and TV. It is only South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) where everybody receives the news,” Minister Nyuon said. “Our activities here cannot be covered by the national government media that is why we want our TV and radio station to be back on air so that our people can see what activities the state government is doing for them.”
Garang Deng Akech, the Director-General for the Aweil TV and Radio confirmed that some work has begun at the station in readiness for reopening.
“The government has put some arrangements to restore the station on-air and we are currently reviewing electricity system from generator, studio and control room and after that, the station will be renovated generally.”
A member of the Aweil Women Association, Rose Aker Deng welcomed the news and said the radio and TV will enhance their activities.
“It is good for us as women because we have some issues to be announced, discussed and women must lobby for the 35% affirmative action,” she said.