THE National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), has called ongovernment agencies to stop indiscriminate closure of base stations.In a statement in Lagos yesterday, the association's President, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, saidthatthe closure of base stationsby the National Environmental Standards Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) had resulted in disruption of telecommunication services.He said that the indiscriminate closure of base stations by NESREA had become a source of concern to subscribers, who have been clamouring for improved services.According to him, theyare also concerned about the effect of the indiscriminate closure of base stations on national security and socio-economic activities of the teeming subscribers.'With various threats of terror attacks and kidnappings in the country, effective communication network is vital in addressing issues of national security and national emergencies. We are also at a loss with NESREA's focus solely on the telecommunications industry.'We believe that the actions of any agency of government should not be predicated on sentiments, but by facts provided by recognised bodies and experts in the field. Our concern is the electromagnetic emission from the base stations in the residential areas'The World Health Organisation (WHO) has not confirmed that the electromagnetic emission from base stations is harmful to human beings,'' he said.Ogunbanjo explained that telecommunications masts were installed on the rooftops of many high-rise buildings and skyscrapers in many countries.He noted that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) set guidelines for the installation of masts and towers, which took into cognisance the acceptable distance of masts to the nearest adjourning property or residential buildings.Meanwhile, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria has recommended the establishment of One-Stop Shop (OSS) Permitting Model that will coordinate and harmonise the relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in a single way of issuing approval for telecoms site-build operations.The Chairman of the association, Gbenga Adebayo, said this was important tp prevent overlapping of functions, which caused face-off between NCC and NESREA.Adebayo, who condemned NESREA's action, which he described as a threat to national economy and security, also called for amplification of the role of NCC as statutory regulator of telecommunications in Nigeria.Besides, he said there was need to also increase education and capacity building for MDAs, as well as the passage of critical national infrastructure law to guide against future occurrences of oversight rivalry between government parastatals in the country.Adebayo disclosed that the ministers of Communications Technology and Environment recently took ministerial action to harmonise NCC and NESREA activities, but the later agency continued to carryout unlawful sealing off of base stations without a court order.
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