PREPARATORY work for the establishment of a radio station in Bartica is moving apace, according to Director of Public Information, Mr Imran Khan.

The multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art facility is expected to serve the more than 15, 000 residents of Bartica, in addition to those in outlying communities not only in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni District, but in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) as well.
Among areas in Region that will be serviced are Goshen and Rivers View, both of which are close to Bartica.
In a brief interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Khan disclosed that the project for the renovation of sections of the Bartica Research Centre, where the radio station will be housed, is currently open to tender until around the end of March.
He explained that major works will be done to the walls, ceiling and floor of the upper flat of the building, where the station will be located, to make it studio-ready. The necessary equipment are also being procured.
“In the case of Bartica, it would require the installation of a tower and the transmitter, along with all the components for the studio,” Khan said.
Residents of Bartica and neighbouring communities are being enlisted into the training programme. Following the training, those with broadcast potential will be shortlisted.
ALL SYSTEMS GO
Khan is optimistic that all systems will be in place for the launching of the radio station in May to mark Bartica’s first anniversary as a town.
Last month, Khan paid an onsite visit to Bartica. He was accompanied by Coordinator for the Community Radio Project and Consultant to the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr Rovin Deodat, and Assistant Production Manager (Studios) of the National Communications Network (NCN), Devon Roberts.

The community-oriented radio station, Khan explained, will be established via a “three-way partnership” among the Office of the Prime Minister; the executing agency, NCN; and the Region.
In addition to local content, the station will be supported with content from NCN. “Outside of the local programmes, the station will carry NCN’s content; the national programmes, including the news, some of which you get through 98.1 and VOG,” he said.
“But now you will get a stronger signal and a wider reach, once the radio is set up,” he told regional officials during his visit.
Using the radio station, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Bartica Mayor and Town Council would be able to broadcast public information, while educating the populace of the rich history and culture of the region.
A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT
Regional Chairman, Mr Gordon Bradford, upon hearing the “good news” said it is a step in the right direction, and will serve the people well.
He said that currently, regional officials would have to either broadcast local information through NCN, or travel to the various communities in order to update themselves on developments within the region.
But when established, he said, the radio station will play a critical role in keeping residents informed. “It will help us tremendously, in terms of disseminating information, particularly to the riverine communities,” he told the project team. The Mayor of Bartica, Mr Gifford Marshall echoed similar sentiments.
“Communication, we will all agree, is the fuel of any progressive society; without such, democracy can easily be derailed. It allows for consultation, participation and inclusion of programmes and ideas,” Marshall posited.
But unfortunately, the work of the municipality, he said, is significantly hindered due to the lack of effective and constant communication. “We have long struggled with communicating our vision, programmes and developmental agenda to the people of Bartica,” Mayor Marshall said.
However, he noted that with the radio station coming on stream, the Council will be able to effectively communicate with its people.
“The community radio will be a major asset to the people of our town; it reflects Government’s commitment to the transformation of Bartica. Our social, economic, and developmental landscape will be boosted,” he said.
In addition to Bartica, community-oriented radio stations will be established in Mahdia, Orealla and Aishalton for 2017 at a cost of $150M.
In 2016, two radio stations were operationalised in Lethem and Mabaruma at a cost of approximately $50M.