GRTS TV: PHOTO/grts |
The National Assembly Member of Lower Fulladu West
disctrict, Hon. Omar Tobb is of the view that the State-owned Gambia Radio and
Television Service (GRTS) is failing Gambians in the execution of its mandate.
“GRTS has failed Gambians in the past two years
especially in my area Lower Fulladu West,” he said in an adjournment debate on
September 26, 2012 which culminated the 3rd Legislative Session of
the National Assembly.
The transmitter in Bansang has not been functioning
for two years. The people in my area cannot have access to both the national
radio and television which is a main concern to the residents in this area,
explains Tobb, who was elected to parliament as an independent candidate.
According to him, the Radio Gambia, the State’s
radio is only accessible within Kombo’s (urban area). He argued the citizens
residing in his district need to be informed about the daily activities of
government.
As at now, they are blind. They only depend on
rumours and hearsay, stress Tobb, one of four independent representatives in
Gambia’s 48-elected-seat parliament.
He added: “We use to tune GRTS Radio through medium
wave (MW) two years back, but now we cannot even have access to the radio
through the MW and since then, nothing has be done about it.”
This, according to him, is a grave concern.
Something needs to done about it, he demanded.
“I am urging the authorities to make sure that
GRTS’s signal reaches out to the whole country,” he said. “We don’t have signal
from both the national radio and television. The authorities should look into
this and come to our aid.”
In 2010, the national broadcaster began broadcasting
on satellite, the first time after more than a decade since its establishment.
As Hon. Tobb explains, people in Lower Fulladu
thought they could get audio signals of the TV on their radio sets through the
satellite, but unfortunately this has not been the case as happening in other
countries.
Hon. Tobb said sadly people in various areas in the
country cannot have the audio of the radio through the television and not all
people can afford satellite disk in their compounds.
“I think the citizens’ main source of information
has failed Gambians in the midst of our eyes. Nobody talks about it,” he
argues.
“This should be addressed immediately rather than
talking about other media houses,” said Hon. Tobb, who was conspicuously
referring to earlier “press friendly and unfriendly” comments from national
assembly members on the arbitrary closure of Taranga FM.
Hon. Babucarr S. Fadera, Member for Kiang Central
district supported Hon. Tobb’s position. He urges the Ministry of Information
to ensure GRTS’s signals reaches out to the people in all corners of the
country.
When he took his turn, the Member for Jimara
district, Hon. Habiboulie K. Jaw, revealed the staffs at Radio Gambia’s
substation in the Upper River Region town of Basse are unable to do their job
effectively, due to mobility and electricity constraints.
There are lots of issues that need to be covered in
that area, he said, while appealing to the Ministry of Information to provide
Basse Radio Station with vehicles to enable the staff do their job effectively.
Source: The Voice Newspaper
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