Another radio station opens in Yei

Esther FM – voice of truth. It is a Christian radio station owned by the Catholic Church, Yei Diocese. It only plays Christian music. It can be received within a radius of 28 miles.

Although it went on air five days ago, it has been condemned by some people. They argue it is not supposed to play Christian music only. They say the management should have thought twice in considering the different tastes and cultural and religious preferences of different peole living in Yei. “The presenters should mix the music. You know, one man’s meat is another another man’s poison,” Simon Boboya, a builder told me.

With Esther FM amongst others, the number of radio station's in Yei is three, as compared to only one that existed in 2005. There are rumours that through the County authorities, the government of Sotuthern Sudan is planning to open one more in the near future. And that will be a government owned radio.

In 2005 and years before, there were communication challenges in Southern Sudan. In Yei there was hardly any telephone network. Only the rich could afford to communicate. There was only one Internet café. Their charges were too high. There was only one local radio. There was totally no international telecommunication network, except through satellite, which is very expensive.

Yei now can boast about the improved communication services available. There are already four telecommunication mobile networks. I have seen people, from the least to the greatest, using mobile phones. Although the speed of Internet is still slow, the number of Internet Cafes has increased from one to about six. And the charges have gone down a little bit. The availability of electricity, since 2006, has expedited the growth of the town.

The Commissioner of Yei County, Colonel Moses David Lokonga, has always told people during different gatherings that he wants to drive the County of Yei to its lost glory, Yei was nicknamed Little London during older times in Sudan because of its fame all over the country for being such a hub of activity and communication. It was well known for its booming commercial activities and farming in particular. Agriculture sector rose to its heights. Yei then produced plenty of food to supply many places. The food stuff would be carried as far as Khartoum. As a result the area attracted people all over the country to come and stay, also work in Yei.

Hopefully, the more communication networks increases, the more affordable and reliable they will become in the near future. And no doubt Yei will regain its lost glory!