The Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) has dedicated its first national music and entertainment radio station, ELBC Metro FM 89.9.
Lunched on Friday May 6, Metro FM was established as part of efforts to expand the state broadcaster’s coverage in information dissemination and entertainment programs. The new station is situated in LBS’s once-abandoned ELBC main radio broadcast studio that has been upgraded to a modern studio.
The launched of the new sun-station was also part of LBS’ five-year strategic plan with support from the People’s Republic of China.
Information and former Director General of LBS, Ledgerhood Rennie launched the new radio station. Both Metro 89.9 FM and ELBC 99.9 are located in the main compound of the Liberia Broadcasting System in Paynesville.
Minister Rennie lauded the administration of LBS, Director-General Estelle Liberty-Kemoh, for living up to the task as his successor at LBS.
According to Liberty-Kemoh, Metro radio project realization is part of a sustained and successful bilateral partnership between Liberia and the Government of China.
“Today’s dedication ceremony has been made possible as the result based on the His Excellency President Weah support and interest in the prioritization of LBS as well his sustained bilateral partnership with the People’s Republic of China. As a result, today is a celebration of the value convergence of national ownership and initiative that you have sought in this bilateral partnership, a new form of experimentation in our national development,” Liberty-Kemoh said.
According to her, Metro 89.9Fm will assist the LBS management to expand its services by introducing exclusive entertainment on the radio and as well work with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to introduce an educational radio and TV show, “Teach by Radio and Television”.
The DG further called for action in working with the Liberia Ministry of Post and Telecommunication (MOPT) and the National Steering Committee for Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy Statement for Liberia. Something she said requires the government to mobilize and allocate resources either through a public-private partnership to the LBS management to enable their entity provides the strategic direction for Liberia’s migration process.
“We want to applaud the kind intervention of President Weah for the immediate renovation and upgrade of the two rusted and abandoned television live recording studios that were unattended for more than 30years,” she added.
Chinese Ambassador Ren Yisheng in remark reaffirmed the government and people of China support to Liberia through infrastructure development and promised to do more at LBS in ensuring better quality.