Region Nine Community Radio Stations keeping residents informed
- Residents aware of flood situation and actions being taken
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, July 5, 2018
Residents of Region Nine, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo are being kept abreast of the responses of the Regional and National Government to the flood situation by way of the three community radio stations commissioned by the government.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said, “the community radios stations which have been established in the hinterland region are playing an important role in keeping residents in these communities informed about the actions being taken by the government and regional administration.”
The radio stations are Radio Paiwomak which services North Rupununi, Radio Aishalton which services Deep South Rupununi and Radio Lethem providing coverage to Central Rupununi.
According to Minister Harmon, the water levels in the rivers and creeks are rising rapidly across the region and the water levels in Lethem and neighbouring communities had increased by approximately 5 feet. On Wednesday, July 4, 2018, it was reported that 25 residents had been evacuated from their homes and housed at temporary shelters at Culvert City Nursery School, Tabatinga Community Centre and the Amerindian hostel while additional affected residents evacuated to relatives’ homes on higher ground.
Hinterland-based community radio stations
Radio Paiwomak was Guyana’s first hinterland-based community radio station established in September 2000. In December 2016, government allocated $10Million for the station’s upgrade.
Radio Lethem 95.1 FM was officially switched on air by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on May 22, 2016, in Lethem, Region Nine. The Prime Minister had remarked that it was a historic day for the people of Lethem and all Guyanese that a radio station was being commissioned in an interior community.
“It is important for the people of the hinterland to have a radio station, so they can communicate with themselves in the Region and the rest of Guyana, and for them to know what’s happening,” the Prime Minister had said.
On Saturday, February 17 2018, Radio Aishalton was commissioned by President David Granger. “Your Government is concerned that as far as the delivery of public information services is concerned… you should not be wanting for public information and this radio station is going to assist not just in education alone but in democracy in Government. Everyone can benefit, and no one can lose. You have a right to public information,” the Head of State had said.
By: Kidackie Amsterdam.