NBC Western revives local broadcasting from temporary studio in Daru

After nearly five years of silence, National Broadcasting Corporation in Western has returned to the airwaves with the launch of a temporary studio in Daru today.

NBC Western has revived local broadcasting in the province, backed by a five-man engineering team restoring relay stations across the province.

Long-time broadcaster and outgoing director provincial radio Sam Sabiyam went on air this afternoon during a trial transmission, marking the official return of NBC Western to the airwaves after nearly five years off air.

The revival also marked the decommissioning of the station’s old Air 4 analogue console. NBC Western’s two studio technicians arrived in Daru yesterday from Port Moresby and will now set up the new DMX 8 digital console in the permanent studio.

A five-man NBC engineering team is currently on the ground working to restore four relay stations in Daru, Tapila, Balimo, and Kondobol, and will proceed to Morehead station tomorrow. The Kiunga relay station was previously established using the IP Link.

According to Western Provincial Administration ICT officer Michael Wangihomie, the Kiunga project is fully funded and installed by the Fly River Provincial Government and implemented by the Western provincial administration through the ICT division.

"It is currently carrying 90.7 National Radio direct from Port Moresby," Wangihomie said.

The restoration of the four remaining relay stations is funded by the Sustainable Development Program. The provincial government has also provided logistics support including IP Links for the Daru restoration.

Mr Wanghiomie said with the Daru studio now restored, the IP Link from Daru will be reactivated to transmit Radio Western to Kiunga.

"Nbc Engineers will also configure the Kiunga transmitter to broadcast Provincial Radio on 95.5.Once completed, Kiunga listeners will have access to Tribe FM 92.3, 90.7 National Radio, and 95.5 Provincial Radio," said Wangihomie.

NBC Western Management acknowledges the support from the Fly River Provincial Government through the Western Provincial Administration ICT Division, and the Sustainable Development Program in restoring national radio and local broadcasting services across Western Province.

The temporary studio will ensure continuous local content for Western Province listeners while work on the permanent facilities is completed.