Osun Telecoms Installations Audit Targets Safety of Residents

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Global Transactions Nigeria Limited (GTNL), over the weekend noted that the company would ensure that telecommunications infrastructure complies with the environmental laws of Osun State, just as it’s said that the standard control activities is not a money making venture, but an obligatory duty of the state government to ensure the safety of the residents of the state and the environment.

The company’s Director of Projects and Data Management, Morenike George-Taylor while Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, reiterated that the audit and inspections of existing installations within the state is to ensure total compliance with relevant the  Osun Environmental Protection Law, 2022. 

Reacting to a report credited to the ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, asking the Minister of Communication to call  Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke to order on this issue, George-Taylor noted that such a statement from the highly respected personality was pre-emptive at this stage of the project.

According to her, “the state governor, Ademola Adeleke has the obligation in accordance with the constitution, as the state governor to protect the people of his state and their environments who freely gave him their mandate.”

She responded to the insinuation that the audit and inspections are meant to generate revenue mainly into the coffers of the state saying such assertion shows that those who are peddling the information must have been misinformed about the nitty-gritty of what the governor has in mind which revolves around safety of the people and their environment.

According to her, the state is carrying out audits and inspections of existing installations within the state to ensure compliance with relevant laws and enforce notices, guidelines and regulations where there are contraventions against owners and developers of installations.

“The regulation is not a money making venture, but aimed at ensuring all the telecommunications companies and others using telecom equipment comply with the laid down rules and regulations in accordance with Osun State Environmental Protection Law, 2022.

“There is nothing that the government can do if you obey the laws. The audit is to ensure the masts are in line with safety and environmental protocols and if they are, there would be no issues. The laws are there to be obeyed so if you don’t want to obey the laws of course there would be a penalty.

“In addition, it is not only telecoms that use telecommunications equipment, banks and insurance companies are also using telecommunications equipment, so this affects all installations affecting the environment related to telecommunications within the state, “she said.