Unity FM 100.8 has been off air in Lainya County, Central Equatoria State, for almost a year, leaving residents without a key source of local news and public information.
The community radio station previously broadcast programmes on health, education, civic issues and local developments. Its absence has created an information gap in an area where many people have limited access to mobile phones, newspapers and reliable internet.
Mathew Lumori, the paramount chief of Lainya County, told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that the station had been widely used for public awareness and civic education.
“It is now almost nine months that the radio has been off. We are appealing for support so that it can come back on air,” he said.
Lumori said residents now listen to stations broadcasting from Yei, Morobo and Kajo-Keji, but struggle to find information about events in Lainya itself.
Marcelina Dudu, a member of a local women’s association, said the shutdown had made it harder to communicate information about community activities.
“The radio has been helping us with information, but now it is different,” she said.
Unity FM station manager Clement Cygan said a lack of funding and technical problems had forced the station off air.
He said the station had initially developed a fault with its sound card and was now dealing with a problem affecting its inverter.
“We are trying to lobby for funds, but our hands are tied,” Cygan said.
Julius Luate, chairperson of the station’s board of directors, appealed to individuals and organisations to help repair the equipment and restore broadcasting.
Community radio is an important source of information in parts of South Sudan where access to the internet and other media remains limited.
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