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Erection of telecom mast: Sokoto residents send SOS to Wamakko [Sun, The (Nigeria)](Sun, The (Nigeria) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Residents of Minanata area of Sokoto metropolis in Sokoto South Local Government Area of the state have appealed to the state government to prevail on a telecommunication firm, Biswal Nig. Ltd, to stop the erection of a mast in the area. Speaking under the auspices of Nakasarin Magaji Peoples' Progressive Union, its Secretary, Alhaji Bala Suleiman, said the call became necessary due to the apprehension harboured by people living within the vicinity of the location of the mast. Suleiman said: "The residents of the area are not jealous or envious of the fortunes of the firm, but our objection to the project stemmed from some health concerns due to radiation. We are also apprehensive that the mast which is being erected right in the midst of a crowded residential area, may one day, collapse, kill or maim people and destroy property." According to Suleiman, the union had voiced the objections of the residents and complained to the state government, the Gagi District head office and several outlets of ventilating grievances. "So, we want the state government to completely stop the project in the interest of the health of the people of the area," Suleiman added. Reacting to the complaints, the spokesman of the firm, Mr. Ahmed Ahijo, said the company legally bought the property from its initial owner. "We had also done the technical site survey, while the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will soon be completed, and we have already stopped work," he said, stressing that the 2013 Nigeria Communications Act stipulates that a mast could be erected anywhere in Nigeria after approval by the regulatory agencies. "This had been done in this direction as the NCC gave us an approval and the erection of a base-station has no parameter in terms of building sites in as much as a firm has complied with the regulations," Ahijo said. The state Environment Commissioner, Dr. Jabbi Kilgori, confirmed that the state government had issued a stop order on the erection of the mast in question. "We have no mandate to completely stop the erection of such masts as it falls within the purview of the powers of the federal government. The commissioner however said they are working to reach a final resolution on the matter, as to be just to the two parties. The post Erection of telecom mast: Sokoto residents send SOS to Wamakko appeared first on The Sun News. (c) 2014 The Sun Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |