The exciting and challenging Benin project of broadcasting the gospel from within West Africa continues. Following the signing of the license agreement last year we have faced delays regarding the ordering of equipment, arrival of containers and finding the right programme producers.

The construction of the high power medium wave station in central Benin is making slow but steady progress and has not been without its challenges.

It was with thankfulness and great excitement that the Cox family arrived in Benin in May to help with the project. Paul is a broadcast engineer and will be taking care of the installation of the transmitter and all that technically goes along with this.

Garth Kennedy and his team have all but completed the transmitter building. The building is looking great now that is has been painted and just waiting for the transmitter, the power generators and antenna equipment to arrive.

There are four containers on their way to Benin for this project. All are needed for the station to go on the air. This has been a long and challenging process - getting all the necessary equipment and paper work in order.

The progress for the pre-inspection of the shipping containers has not been straightforward as all four containers are in various stages. One container, with the transmitter in it, should arrive from Canada any day now in the port of Cotonou. The pre-inspection of the container with the power generators is in progress and the third container coming from TWR in Cary, with essential parts for the antenna, is awaiting an import permit after which the pre-inspection can be arranged. The last container from TWR in South Africa has just had its pre-inspection done and is on its way to the port of Durban. This container has air conditioning equipment in it, amongst other things. Another challenge faced is the surprise construction of a new high voltage power line through the west side of the transmitter site. Much wisdom is needed in order to resolve this challenge.

With the delay in getting the MW license, the delivery of the equipment and the challenges with the shipping of the containers, a new on air date of the end of October this year has been set.

The programme schedule for this station is coming together. Much research and thought has gone into this. The languages being considered for broadcast are Hausa, Twi, Baatonum, Fongbe, Yoruba, Kanuri, Pulaar, Dendi, French and English. The radio programme production of these languages is in progress.

Published 3 July 2007