The government of the People’s Republic of China, through its Ambassador accredited near Monrovia, His Excellency Yin Chengwu, has announced its readiness to commence phase two of the refurbishment and expansion project at the state-owned Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS).
“The advance team is due in Liberia this week to work out modalities with the management of LBS on the commencement of the project,” Ambassador Chengwu excitingly disclosed when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, on Tuesday.
Minister Piah, who is concurrently the Chairman of the LBS Board of Directors, expressed delight over China’s assistance to LBS, assisting the Government of Liberia (GOL) to adequately propagate its programs, activities and achievements to the public, and reaffirmed the GOL’s commitment to the “One China Policy”.
In 2006 China entered into a technical assistance agreement with the GOL through which the LBS refurbishment and expansion project phase one started in November 2007, and in November 2008 China handed over a renovated and fully-equipped LBS facility to the GOL.
The cost of the LBS expansion project was US$4 million. Its relay outstations in Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, Lofa and Maryland counties were linked with the main studio in Monrovia through microwave satellite links that expanded the station’s coverage to many counties in Liberia.