ENUGU STATE LAWMAKERS THREATEN TO SEAL BASE STATIONS OF NETWORK PROVIDERS FOR ABUSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW.

The Enugu State House of Assembly Committee on Petroleum and Environmental Matters has threatened to seal base stations of network providers in the area for environmental related offences. The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Obinna Okenwa stated this during a meeting with some representatives of network providers in Enugu.

The committee express concern over reckless abuse of environmental regulation, indiscriminate citing of masts in residential areas without approval from relevant authorities. The Chairman, 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.

He accused the network providers of evading necessary fees and damaging public infrastructure in the cause of lying their fibers along the roads.

Mr. Okenwa also alleged that network providers refused to submit their Safety Audit report among other documents relating to some of their activities.

‘’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.’’

Two members of the committee, Chief Erochukwu Ugwueze and Dame Nkechi Omeje Ogbu described the action as unacceptable.

‘’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 warned that the goodwill of the Governor must not be abused by anybody.

‘’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 claimed that their companies abided by the law and expressed their readiness to do so at all times.

‘’There is no proven health hazard with the masks. It is clear from the advice from NCC and the Office of the National Security Adviser said any person requesting for those documents should be referred to them.’’

They also commended the committee for their friendly disposition in their oversight function.

OLIVER OSSAI