Enugu Lawmakers To Seal Base Stations of Network Providers For Abuse Of Environmental Laws
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The Enugu State House of Assembly Committee on Petroleum and Environmental Matters has resolved to seal base stations of network providers in the state for environmental-related offences. Hon Obinna Okenwa, the chairman of the committee, said this when the committee met with some representatives of network providers in Enugu.
The committee expressed worries over abuses of environmental regulations by the service providers, such as indiscriminate citing of masts in residential areas without approval from relevant authorities.
Mr Okenwa said the base stations would be sealed as a result of environmental abuse by HIS and DISWAL companies engaged by the network providers to maintain their stations, and accused the network providers of evading necessary fees and damaging public infrastructure in the cause of laying their fibers along the roads.
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Mr Okenwa claimed that network providers refused to submit their safety audit reports among other documents relating to some of their activities for veirifications.
In his words, “’Section 7 of your terms of agreement where installations interfere or clash on location with other public services, onus would be upon the provider to sort out the differences with relevant agencies.’’
A member of the committee, Chief Erochukwu Ugwueze, said, “We are here to promote industry in Enugu state and if we are to provide industries and the people we are helping are not helping matters, then we will do our job. We have found out since you started your work in Enugu state, you just go to villages and mount masks indiscriminately.’’
The senior special assistant to the Enugu State Governor on Environmental Matters, Mr Oscar Okwume, frowned at the act, warning that the goodwill of the governor should not be abused by anybody.
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According to him, “We are saying that you need to pay ESWAMA and Ministry of Environment what is due to them.’’
Some of the representatives of network providers said that their companies abided by the law and expressed their readiness to do so at all times.
One of them said, “There is no proven health hazard with the masks. It is clear from the advice from National Communications Communication and the Office of the National Security Adviser said any person requesting those documents should be referred to them.’’
They however commended the committee for their friendly disposition in their oversight function.
