Govt Holds Stakeholders on Telecoms Companies Domiciled in Osun, Seeks Cooperation with GTNL

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Osun State government has urged all the telecommunications companies domiciled in the state to give maximum cooperation to its technical consultant, Global Transactions Nigeria Ltd (GTNL), in the course of discharging its duties as state’s government consultant.

THISDAY reports that representatives of MTN, 9mobile, IHS, ATC, Globacom, ALTON secretary, Gbolahan Awonuga, represented the Telcos among others were present at the stakeholders meeting which was held at the governor office, Abere. 

The government also emphasised that GTNL is the sole technical consultant pursuant to the judgment of the Osun State High Court delivered on 28th September, 2023, with the mandate to ensure the integrity of the telecommunications infrastructure in the State in compliance with relevant environmental protection law. 

Government harped on the need to remove all abandoned masts within the state, saying the state would work with the T 90.2COs to create a win – win relationship.

At the meeting which was chaired by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Sola Ogungbile had in attendance, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Jimi Bada, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Prof. Ademola Adeleke, Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mr. Mayowa Adejonrin 

Others are: Permanent Secretary on Budget and Planning, Mrs. Yetunde Esan, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Finance, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, Mr. R.A. Oyegbami, and Directors in the relevant ministries among others.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Sola Ogungbile, emphasised on the decision of the government to resolve issues of multiple taxation within the state.

Ogungbile further explained that issues relating to telecommunication infrastructure have to be resolved, saying this is done in the interest of the people of the state.

Echoing a similar view, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Jimi Bada, clarified that the State had appointed a sole consultant which according to him is GTNL to deal with matters relating to telecommunication within the state. 

Bada urged the telecommunications companies domiciled in the state to give maximum cooperation with consultant.

Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mr. Mayowa Adejonrin, clarified that the state was willing to work with the telcos on a case-by-case basis to create a win–win situation for all parties involved.

Adejonrin noted that telecommunications companies have a direct impact on the environment on which they perform their operations. 

According to him, the impact of telecommunications companies is also on the economic field, because they provide telecommunications services.

“The most significant impact of the telecommunication companies is on the environmental

 field.  They  contribute  directly  and  indirectly  to  the  environment,  through  greenhouse  gases (GHGs), because they have a significant  use  of energy and therefore, they are  a  source of these emissions. 

The Chairman, Rotini George – Taylor and Director of Data and Project Management, More Nike George – Taylor, harped on the need for regulation of telecommunication infrastructure in the state.

The duo however commended the Governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke, by removing multiple taxation in the sector and promoting the sustainable development of Osun State.