The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) has set aside over 10 billion kwacha (about 2. 94 million U.S. dollars) to implement phase two rural TV project, Times of Zambia reports today. ZNBC public relations manager Mirriam Tonga was quoted as saying that money is available and all the tender procedure has been completed. “The installation of new transmission equipment is set but we are being delayed because suppliers are not delivering on time,” she said.
She said that phase one of the rural TV product covering 26 districts was completed a few months ago at the cost of 4.2 billion kwacha (about 1.24 million dollars). Phase two will cover 17 districts less than phase one. It will cost more than double the amount of money spent on phase one as it involves the installation of new transmitters, down link decoders and transmitter shelters among others, she said.
After the completion of the rural TV project, the ZNBC will replace radio transmitters in most parts of the country which receive the signals using the shortwave band. The state-run ZNBC is replacing shortwave with FM band transmitters, she said.
(Source: Xinhua/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)