[HCDX] Fuel Crisis Threatens Majuro Broadcasters

[info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

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Fuel Crisis Threatens Majuro Broadcasters
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According to reports from Majuro, capital of the Marshall Islands in
the north-west Pacific, supplies of diesel and coconut oil to the
private sector could be completely cut within weeks, forcing four
private radio stations off the air.

RNZI News reports that a state of economic emergency has been
declared, to reduce fuel and power consumption, after the national
power utility projects a financial deficit representing close to 20
per cent of the entire national budget.

The Marshall Islands Energy Company needs US$8.5m to pay for June
diesel shipments and as a down payment for the next shipment, and
needs to find the funds within seven days. 

Steve Clark, manager of The Change 104.1 FM on Majuro says his
station has already switched to propane gas in an effort to keep the
new christian radio station on the air.

The Change 104.1 FM is in urgent talks with New Zealand based partner
UCB Pacific Partners to develop solar and wind power energy
generation options.

Graham Carter, chief executive of UCB Pacific Partners says 'it will
take months to raise money, ship the equipment and get it all set
up'. 

In the meantime, the four private FM radio stations on Majuro face a
bleak and potentially silent future.

Radio Marshalls V7AB the government radio station operating on both
AM and FM may remain as the only local broadcaster on air on Majuro
should this happen.

The Central Pacific Network of the US Armed Forces Radio operates an
additional four stations on Kwajalein, which although part of the
Marshall Islands, are likely to be immune from the crisis because
they're US government funded and serve military installations.

For a backgrounder on issues facing Pacific broadcasters, including
fast rising oil costs, read 'Pacific Radio Today' at
www.radioheritage.net, the global media platform of the Radio
Heritage Foundation. 

If you know of any other Pacific radio stations facing similar fuel
hike problems, please let us know. You can contact us at
info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Radio Heritage Foundation
www.radioheritage.net
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The Radio Heritage Foundation is a registered non-profit organization
connecting radio heritage and popular culture across the Pacific. To
be removed from this mailing list, email info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx with
'remove' in the subject line.
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