Catholic Radio Emmanuel off air indefinitely after storm

By Manyang Mayom

November 23, 2010 (JUBA) – Emmanuel Radio of the Catholic Diocese of Torit will be off air for an indefinite period of time following the destruction of the mast and antennas in a storm on Monday says the station director Fr. Santino Lounoi.

According to the Fr. Santino the destruction occurred around 4.15pm during a heavy downpour of wind and rain.

Fr. Santino said that “a strong wind blow off an iron-sheet structure close to the radio station carried the debris which crashed on the support strings of the 60m guyed mast, uprooting the mast and causing the whole structure to crumble down”.

His described the incident as “sad”, saying, “this is very unfortunate at the time the radio has been very instrumental in the current referendum process, a complete new mast will be needed and even some antenna will be needed as some already got destroyed.”

He appealed to the administrators and technicians of Sudan Catholic Radio Network to make an assessment of the damage and give them advice.

Emmanuel Radio, one of the radio stations of the Sudan Catholic Radio Network, is in its second year of broadcasting. It is located in Torit, the capital of Eastern Equatoria State. It broadcasts mainly in English, Simple Arabic, Lotuho, Didinga, Lango, Madi, Toposa and Acholi, among other indigenous languages.

(ST)