MONROVIA, October 2 (LINA) - The Director-General of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), Ambrose Nmah, has called on government to increase the station’s budgetary allocation to ensure stable power supply.
“The current budgetary allocation for the station is US$700,000, and we are hoping that things will improve soon,” he told reporters following a courtesy call on Senator Henry Yallah, Senate Chairman on Information and Broadcasting, at the Capitol Building Thursday.
Nmah could not be specific about the exact amount needed because, according to him, “you cannot be making a request and at the same time making demands.”
He, however, explained that the cost of maintaining full power supply alone is about US$5 million per annum.
He said keeping the station on air “during these crucial times in the country’s history, will help community dwellers, particularly in difficult to reach terrains” follow Ebola information being released by authorities of the Ministry of Health and partners.
According to the LBS Director General, breaks in transmission pose possible harm to the people, especially rural dwellers, who are informed about happenings in the country through LBS or the United Nations radio which cover most parts of the country.
Nmah pointed out that he was disheartened by the recent closure of the station, as the media plays a major role in crisis and post-crisis periods.
Recently, the LBS was off the air for what management termed “some operational constraints and untimely funding from the Finance Ministry for the month of September.”
LINA WTD/JGT/TSS/PTK