-three  more regional stations to be commissioned before year-end

A NEW spectrum of opportunities was opened to the residents of Mahdia and surrounding communities in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), when the Government commissioned Radio Mahdia 95.1FM last Sunday.

Residents were so excited that they even brought their radios to test the quality of the transmission, which Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said was good.The excitement was however not just focused on the transmission and signal, but also the opportunities that the new source of communication has brought to residents of the communities in that area.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo said for many years, people from the hinterland regions had been isolated from information about their own country so a radio station was an important asset of any region.

“It is important not only for entertainment but also news, sports, culture and language…it is also important because it helps persons to learn about dangers and know that your country is doing all that is possible to make life better for everyone,” said the prime minister.Over 100 large and small mining camps in the area will have access to the radio station. They will now be warned about the weather, diseases and what they can do to improve their mining practices.Nagamootoo also made reference to how residents of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) benefited from their local radio station during the rainy season earlier this year.

Persons were warned through the radio programmes that the bank of the river was overflowing so they needed to get into a safe zone. They were also told to keep students out of school for that period because snakes were in abundance because of the flood.

Prior to receiving their radio station last year, they would usually wait for information to be filtered down to them from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).“A radio station is therefore an important part of developing the consciousness of Guyanese so that they can safeguard themselves and the country,” said the prime minister.

Informative programmes such as the learning channel and other national programmes will be broadcast so that persons in Mahdia and other communities such as El Paso and Campbell Town will remain informed.Persons, particularly those of indigenous ethnicity, will be trained by professional broadcasters so that they can eventually have their own programmes.

The prime minister even hinted to the need for an indigenous language station which will be used to promote the culture of the indigenous people.Regional Chairman of Region Eight, Bonaventure Fredericks, shared similar sentiments but expressed his gratitude to the Government for the initiative, saying it would benefit the business community, students and the residents.Veteran broadcaster and the Project Coordinator, Rovin Deodat, explained that the Radio Station was state-of-the art and cost the government between $21 million and $28 million to build.Deodat said the government intends  building similar radio stations in every region across the country.

THREE MORE STATIONS Before December, the government will commission radio stations in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Orealla, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Aishalton, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).When those are established, persons will benefit from programmes such as Voice of Guyana, news, current affairs, sports and national events, said Deodat.Each of the stations will however move progressively because persons will be trained to operate the equipment and become broadcasters.