WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU — Upgrading Radio Rwanda transmitters will improve radio coverage in rural areas, the minister for Information in the Prime Minister’s office, Laurent Nkusi, said.

"The media is very fundamental in the country’s development because it disseminates information and educates the public on government policies and developmental activities; such as improved agriculture, health issues, fighting poverty among others. That is why we are here to design lasting ways of solving this problem of poor coverage," he said.

Nkusi said this recently while visiting Rubavu district to assess how residents in areas which do not receive Radio Rwanda transmission, can be helped to get access to information.

This, Nkusi said, will be solved through partnership with various institutions such as the district authorities, Karisimbi project, Electro-gaz, and the central government.

Oscar Kimanuka, the director of Information Office of Rwanda [ORINFOR], who accompanied the minister, attributed poor television and radio transmission in rural areas to the topography of certain areas; with high hills and valleys, and old and weak transmitters.

He stressed the need to enable all Rwandans access information.

According to technicians, to achieve quality transmission, the Rubavu-based community radio needs to be upgraded to one kilowatt from the current 100watts to cover the entire western province, while radio Rwanda’s current transmitter of 100watts needs to be upgraded to two kilo watts.

For television transmission, it reportedly needs to upgrade the watts to 700, which is estimated to cost between Frw230 and Frw250 million.

Martin Habimana, the district official in charge of good governance, on behalf of the district, commended the minister and ORINFOR authorities, for the efforts geared towards increasing information access.

"Many of our residents living in areas without radio transmission have been receiving distorted second hand information. Increased coverage will help all access first hand information and educative programmes on the current government policies," Habimana said.

He noted that residents are the main players in the implementation of government policies, and thus needed awareness and sufficient information on the government’s plans in order to play their role.

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