Bentiu Radio 99.0 FM, which was launched in 2008, has reopened after a seven-year hiatus due to the South Sudan war, which erupted in mid-December 2013.
The station, which transmits on both Frequency Modulation and Medium Wave frequencies, fell off the air in January 2014, after the fighting devastated the Unity State capital of Bentiu.
According to a statement obtained by Nyamilepedia, Deng Muon Liah, Director-General of the state Ministry of Information, Bentiu 99.0 FM began short wave broadcasts on February 26 after obtaining energy from the hospital.
“The Greater Pioneer Oil Company in Unity State gave the ministry a cable that links the radio with the main hospital to have steady electricity for 24 hours,” Liah said in a statement acquired by Nyamilepedia on Wednesday.
Liah said that the station operates from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., but it does not operate on weekends since Bentiu Teaching Hospital does not operate on weekends, and this is the main issue.
He urged individuals to work with the state administration to share information in order to hasten development plans throughout the state.
“This will assist residents and the state government in disseminating the South Sudan peace accord and the constitutional making process,” Liah remarked.
A Bentiu 99.0 FM listener identified as Nyibuor Simon Manyang said that she enjoys peace messages, cultural melodies, and programming that brings people together.
“My message to the people of South Sudan is that we are extremely delighted to have our radio broadcasts restarted, and that we need to keep peace because we are one people, and we must remain together as one people,” she added.
A teacher, Peter Gai Tek, said that he gains from the radio by receiving valuable knowledge.
“It keeps us informed about concerns in Unity State and also promotes many various things, including culture, football, unity and peace, and education programs,” Teacher Tek said.
Riek Yoahnes Wayuk, adviser to the Unity State Youth Union, expressed gratitude to the state administration and the Director-General of the State Ministry of Information and Communication for resuming broadcasts.
Prior to December 2013, Unity State had two radio stations: Internews, which was managed by Naath F.M. in Leer County, and Radio Farmer. Both were privately held, but both were muted in the aftermath of the 2013 disaster.
