Juba, South Sudan
March 5, 2022 — Bentiu Radio 99.0 F.M, which was founded in 2008, is back on air after a seven-year closure following South Sudan conflict which broke out in mid December 2013.
The station broadcasts on both Frequency Modulation and Medium Wave frequencies and went off air in January 2014 when Unity State capital Bentiu was severely affected by the war.
In a statement seen by Nyamilepedia, Deng Muon Liah, the Director-General at the state Ministry of Information says that Bentiu 99.0 FM resumed short wave broadcasts on 26 of February after tapping electricity from the hospital.
“The ministry was given a cable by the Greater Pioneer Oil Company in Unity State that connects the radio with the main hospital to have constant power for 24 hours,” Liah stated in a statement obtained by Nyamilepedia on Wednesday.
Liah said the station works from 6 am to 1 pm and it resumes working from 2 pm to 11 pm but does not work on weekends because Bentiu Teaching Hospital does not work during weekends and that is the only challenge.
He called on the citizens to cooperate with the state government in information sharing to expedite development plans across the state.
“This will help the citizens and the state government to disseminate the peace agreement and the constitutional making process in South Sudan,” Liah added.
A listener of Bentiu 99.0 FM identified as Nyibuor Simon Manyang said that she loves peace messages, cultural songs and programming which brings people together.
“My message to the people of South Sudan is that we are very happy to have our radio resumed broadcasts that we need to maintain peace because we are one people and we have to stay together as one people,” She said.
Peter Gai Tek, a teacher, said that he benefits from the radio by getting quality information.
“It keeps us aware about issues that are happening in Unity State and also promotes many different things, especially culture, football, unity and peace, and education programs,” Teacher Tek said.
Unity State Youth union advisor Riek Yoahnes Wayuk said he was very thankful to the state government and the Director-General of the State Ministry of Information and communication for having resumed broadcasts.
Unity state had two radio stations before December 2013, the Internews which was run by Naath F.M in Leer County and the Radio Farmer. Both were privately-owned but all were muted in the wake of 2013 crisis.
