The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB) yesterday commissioned a new 300ft transmission tower which will enable everyone to watch ZNS TV 13, the Parliamentary Channel and a third community announcements channel free of charge via “Free 2 Air”.

Viewers no longer need Cable Bahamas’ TV services or BTC’s Flow TV to view these three channels, officials said.

During the commissioning service at the Harold Road site, Prime Minister Perry Christie said it would increase the capability of the BCB, as he insisted that ZNS is there to turn to when all other sources fail or falter.

ZNS General Manager Diana Swann added that the tower signified the fulfillment of a long-standing dream for those at the corporation, despite it being “well over budget.” She declined to reveal this to the small group gathered for the ceremony.

Following the commissioning, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage was asked about the cost of the tower, but said he did not know and directed The Tribune to the corporation’s general manager.

She declined to comment, but explained why the project had gone over budget.

Ms Swann said: “When we first started construction because as you can see behind there is an old tower that we had to take down, we had to go a few hundred feet more into the ground as for the specification for the company that actually constructed the tower. We had to go deeper than we had anticipated.

“We also had more shipping costs. When we did all of our figures for shipping we left off some things. We didn’t realise that it was going to take so many packages of cargo. Then we had to pay environmental fees, the shipping, the crane and all of that to come out. We didn’t actually add all of that in so we went over budget - not by much, but we were a little over budgeted for the tower, but it was well worth it.

“Right now 107.9 and 104.5fm has been enhanced. ‘Free 2 Air’ is there. This is a TV and radio tower and so we are pretty much happy. It can withstand winds of hurricane three to four force, so we are pretty happy.”

She added: “We were actually completing this when (Hurricane) Matthew came along. It was almost completed or it was completed, but we had to send the riggers back up and take off the accessories you see there because we didn’t want to lose any. So it withstood Hurricane Matthew.”

She said the work began between June and July, 2016, and was completed between February and March this year.

Mr Christie said this was another advancement for the BCB.

“This is another technological and engineering advancement that has been made by the Broadcasting Corporation in over 80 years of existence and service to the Bahamian people. I like to point out in these types of occasions that this new infrastructure represents a significant investment in this project. It is necessary to point this out because there are some people who seem not to appreciate what it takes in the total scheme of things to manage and run the government.

“Today you are looking at one such service that has been provided by the government to one of its corporations. The ZNS network is there to turn to when all other sources fail or falter,” Mr Christie added.

He said more than ever in this age when anything goes as news or opinion, the country needed the BCB to maintain the higher standard.

“To the staff, yours is a special responsibility, a special mandate and it demands more of you than your competitors. I want you to reach that point as I have indicated and I’ve stressed it where the public will have to ask ‘Did you hear that on ZNS?’ More is expected of you by your listeners. You must not fall into the trap of following your competition. Let them match your standards.”