A brand-new generator donated to Eye Radio by China National Petroleum Corporation - CNPC on June 16, 2023 - Eye Radio/Moses Awan

Eye Radio has resumed 24-hour broadcast through its repeaters across the country as of Friday June 16, after China donated a 33,000-dollar generator.

China National Petroleum Cooperation – an oil and gas firm operating in the country – donated the power generator to the independent broadcaster.

The station used to shut down at 8:00 PM and reopens at dawn to save power due to faulty generator power.

This has prompted calls from its listeners who persistently inquire about the situation.

However, the new generator was installed and put to use on June 16, 2023. It will now enable the station to work without power and internet limitations.

The handing-over ceremony was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan MA Qiang, CNPC Director for Public Relations Ren Yongsheng and Eye Radio Chief Executive Officer Stephen Omiri.

“Over the past two months, Eye Radio has received phone calls from the public, members of parliament, and some government officials, asking why Eye Radio goes off-air at 8 PM every night,” said Eye Radio CEO Omiri.

“We were forced to turn off Eye Radio every evening and resume broadcast at 6 AM. With some difficulties because the shutdown caused serious damage to some of our equipment.”

Omiri said this “generous” donation from China National Petroleum Cooperation is of huge benefit to the people of South Sudan.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Ambassador MA Qiang said his government has learned about the situation and intervened to facilitate the smooth running of the station.

“It gives me great pleasure to join today’s handover ceremony of the diesel generator donation by the CNPC to Eye Radio,” Amb. Qiang said. ”

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the CNPC and also all the friends for your presence today, which showed our close friendship.”

On his part, CNPC representative Ren Yongsheng said his company will continue working with Eye Radio and the South Sudan media to promote working relations between the two countries.

“CNPC would like to keep close coordination with Eye Radio, and other South Sudanese media, in the hope of establishing a bridge of communication and promoting understanding between the two countries and the two people,” Yongsheng said.

“It is my honor on behalf of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to participate in the Signing Ceremony of the generator donation between Eye Radio and CNPC.”

“First of all, I would like to thank H.E. Ambassador Ma Qiang to witness the event today. To tell the truth, the event is not going to happen without H.E. Ambassador Ma’s support and coordination.”

Eye Radio began as a project of Education Development Center (EDC), an international NGO based in the US, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

It was established to provide to the people of South Sudan and neighboring territories objective and balanced news and information on issues vital to an informed and participating citizenry.

Eye Radio went on the air in June 2010 and is now on 24 hours per day from its studios in Korok, Juba.

With the name change from SRS in August, 2012, Eye Radio has launched new programming initiatives, including a comprehensive morning and evening programs; “The Dawn” and “Sundown” as current affairs programs.