With the commissioning of Radio Lethem in May and that of Radio Mabaruma several weeks later, residents of Lethem and Mabaruma are still anticipating the airing of local programmes on their respective stations.
When contacted for feedback on the daily functions of the radio stations since the commissioning, residents in both communities had mixed views as they are uncertain of when local programmes will start airing.
Mike Williams, of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), stated that the radio station has not yet been able to get any local programmes on air as yet and therefore residents continue to depend solely on the National Communi-cations Network (NCN) for live feeds.
A chief broadcaster himself at sister station Radio Paiwomak, in Annai, Williams explained that Manager of Radio Paiwomak Vergil Harding has been offering support for the development of local programmes for Radio Lethem.
With this in mind, Williams expressed the hope of soon being able to have their own programmes being broadcast to help in the development of community activities across the region.
“While we are well up to date with what’s going on around the country, personally, I would like to hear programmes that focuses on our culture and maybe even some that would give little village profiles and those kinda things. We also hope to have programmes that would be done in the Makushi and Wapichan languages with translations for those who do not speak the indigenous language,” Williams said.
Nevertheless, Williams said that residents are still appreciative of the fact that the radio station has allowed them to be kept up to date with current affairs around the country.
Yasmin, another resident, related that while she has not heard any word of when the local programmes would come on air, she looks forward to it. In the meantime, she would be happy if the music on the station could be updated.
However, another resident, Yimochi Melville, told Stabroek News that he can’t recall the last time he listened to the radio since he finds the current feed too bland.
“It’s boring right now; it needs to be more interactive and have more variety. I look forward to having the local programmes because all we are listening to is news from George-town. We need to hear more about what is going on in Lethem,” Melville said.
Similar sentiments were shared by Sherica Ambrose, who noted that while the establishment of Radio Lethem was history making, she too would like it to be more interactive for those who tune in daily. She even went as far as suggesting the airing of local call-in programmes and morning shows.
Ambrose was one of several residents who underwent broadcast training before the official launch of the radio station. She said they are currently awaiting word from project coordinator Dr Rovin Deodat and broadcaster Michella Abraham-Ali on additional training.
Like that of Radio Lethem, Radio Mabaruma also continues to depend solely on NCN for live feeds as residents claim that the building that houses the radio station remains locked and hardly shows any sign of use.
Mark Persaud, a resident of Mabaruma said that while there has been no local programme on the station as yet, he hopes this will change soon.
“It is important for the local programmes to be aired as they can contribute to the promotion of community development. But as it is right now, the radio station is making a good impact on the communities here in terms of keeping persons up to date with what’s happening around the country,” Persaud said.
Meanwhile, another resident, Mark John, related that when the local programmes are up and running, it is his hope that there will be programmes specially designed for the benefit of children.
During the launch of Radio Lethem, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had also emphasised the importance of developing local programmes as the radio station was established to give the people the opportunity to share their own stories.
“It is not simply a radio station from which you can hear songs, but one that you will eventually be able to use to tell your own story,” he had said.
The radio station, which has a range of 25 miles and on a clear day up to 35 miles, was said to have the capacity to not only serve the people of Lethem but other nearby villages, such as Nappi and St Ignatius. However, residents in the Deep South, which is about 100 miles away, would not be able to access the signal.
Meanwhile, Deodat, in his address at the commissioning of the Mabaruma radio station in early June, had expressed the hope that next year will see Radio Mabaruma being able to produce at least 50% of its own programmes.
Deputy Production Manager of NCN Wendy Hermonstine also express-ed the hope that within the next three months, the radio station would be airing locally-developed programmes of good quality. “We look forward to programmes being developed and aired; we look forward to hearing the voices of trainees in the studio here at Mabaruma,” she said.
