Africa-Press – Angola. The Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Social Communication, Mário Oliveira, announced Friday in Luanda a modernization and expansion of the National Radio of Angola (public broadcasting service) in the near future.
In statements to the press at the end of President João Lourenço’s visit to the public broadcaster, the Minister said that the technical and administrative conditions are practically in place.
“It was an important and symbolic day. The President’s visit precedes the launch of a major modernization and expansion project for the National Radio of Angola, whose technical and administrative conditions are practically in place for us to move forward in the coming days,” he stated.
Mário Oliveira described the moment as “historic and significant” for Angolan media, highlighting that this is the first visit by a Head of State to the RNA in almost 50 years, since President Agostinho Neto’s visit in 1977.
According to the official, the plan aims to improve the radio’s signal coverage, which currently reaches no more than 40% of the Angolan population.
The goal, according to the minister, is to expand the network of transmitters and strengthen technical resources, with the collaboration of international partners already involved in the process.
“The arrival of the international supplier who will operationalize the project’s launch is scheduled for next week. We are ready to, as I often say, tighten the first screw,” he stated.
During the visit, President João Lourenço toured various areas of the radio station, learning about the institution’s operations and the radio station’s main operational challenges, including obsolescent equipment, logistical difficulties, and limited national coverage.
Mário Oliveira reaffirmed the Executive’s commitment to overcoming these obstacles and assured that the guidance received from the Head of State is clear: “work diligently to ensure a modern, inclusive public radio station with a presence throughout the national territory.”
“We received very specific instructions from the President to continue the work already underway. We know that the radio station difficulties reflect other sectors of national life, but we will overcome them together and achieve victories soon,” he stated.
Negotiations with communications professionals
When asked about the status of negotiations with public media professionals regarding labor demands, the minister said that the talks are taking place within the framework of an active negotiating committee, reinforcing that the common goal is the good of the country.
“The negotiations will end when there is an understanding between the parties. What is at stake are not personal interests, but rather the construction of Angola. That is what we are focused on,” he concluded.
On October 5th, the public radio station celebrates its 48th anniversary, since the date was established during the visit of the first President of the Republic, António Agostinho Neto, on October 5th, 1977. It is one of the oldest and most emblematic institutions in Angolan media.
The organization fulfills functions of public interest, such as the promotion of culture, citizenship, information, and national unity.
Its mission is to inform, educate, and entertain the Angolan population, promoting the values of national culture, citizenship, and development.
The National Radio of Angola has provincial stations throughout the country, operating with the goal of achieving nationwide coverage, although it faces technical and logistical challenges in more remote regions. It is investing in modernizing its transmitter network to ensure full coverage of up to 95% of the population.
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