SACLEPEA, Nimba – In an apparent attempt to thwart the efforts of Truth FM to reach voters in rural Nimba, the vice president and standard bearer of Unity Party, Joseph Boakai, has promised to provide a 2,000-watt radio transmitter to a community radio station in Saclepea.

During his recent tour of Nimba, Boakai promised Radio Saclepea that he would provide a transmitter to the station to increase its coverage area. He made the pronouncement in Saclepea during the third day of his five-day visit to Nimba.

Boakai’s offer appeared to be a show of solidarity with Radio Saclepea, which now experiences competition from the presence of a 6,000-watt Truth FM relay station in the area. Truth FM is owned by Musa Bility, a senior member of the opposition Liberty Party.

“For me, I think this is an act of arrogance,” Boakai said during his visit. “We are saying that to go to 6,000 watts in the community, that should even be against the law – but I am not going to dwell on that.”

Boakai said as part of his effort, he would send “competent technicians” to assist the operators of Radio Saclepea to “put dignity to this station radio station.”

Since the Truth FM extension was switched on in Saclepea several weeks ago, the management of Radio Saclepea has been concerned about the potential loss of listeners and advertising revenues.

Truth FM’s managers have argued that they are registered with the government to broadcast nationwide, and as such, they have the right to operate any number of wattage in transmission. They emphasized that they are in no way going against any laws governing media operations in Liberia.

Featured photo courtesy of Marco Castro/UN Photo