ABG upgrades radio

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The Autonomous Bougainville Government is making headway in developing the media in the region to allow people more access to information.
This move has seen the upgrade of the National Broadcasting Corporation’s Bougainville facilities.  The ABG committed K5 million to improve the coverage of  radio station.
In opening the facility last week, ABG President Dr John Momis said the radio station upgrade included the procurement of new studio broadcast equipment, renovation to the Hutjena studio and a new digital 10kilowatt shortwave transmitter.
“People can now listen to information on radio by tuning in to shortwave 1 frequency 3.325 kilohertz on NBC Bougainville and the shortwave radio signal covers all parts of Bougainville and can be heard as far as East of Hawaii, Germany, Australia and the Pacific,” Momis said.
“To stimulate public interest and create awareness on the referendum and development in Bougainville, we have since, June conducted 10 live talk back shows hosted by ABG’s mobile community radio, Radio Ples Lain, and relayed over NBC Bougainville and New Dawn.”
“We intend to embark on a region-wide awareness campaign working closely with constituency members, communality governments, village assemblies, women, youth and churches.” Momis added that the Bureau of Public Affairs, Media and Communication has so far produced and aired 160 radio programmes from February to August 2016.
These radio programmes have been well appreciated by the people as they gained insight and understanding on what the Government is doing at department and ministry level.
Another important development is the ABG’s very own Bougainville Bulletin which has progressed well with well over 150,000 copies distributed all over Bougainville since 2015.
Momis also revealed that the ABG has started developing resource materials to support awareness on the Bougainville Peace Agreement and especially the referendum.
The UNDP as also supported the ABG’s with the procurement of radio equipment.
The equipment will be used to conduct awareness at the community level and this will include a new information center based in Buka town and a mobile audio visual vehicle conveniently named Piksa Ples Lain.