By Uche Chukwuma
The Delta State Government has issued a “cease and desist” order on telecommunications companies operating within the state, including any organization or body corporate, excavating the soil in parts of the state for the purpose of laying fiber-optic cables, or any such similar activities.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ejiro Jamani, made the position of the state government known, Friday, while speaking with newsmen.
Jamani stated that the order became necessary as part of government’s larger plan to protect the environment from unwholesome activities of telecommunication companies who went about the state excavating lands without proper authorization from the ministry, including failure to follow laid-down procedures.
The commissioner directed that henceforth all such excavations would require authorization from the Ministry of Environment, as well as a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment carried out in conjunction with the ministry’s officials.
He affirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to environmental protection and conservation, noting that, “The protection of our environment is non-negotiable, and we cannot allow the unwholesome practice to destroy our environment.”
The Commissioner further directed that any company or Infrastructure agents excavating the soil for the purpose of installing fibre optic cables should provide among other things, the route map and distance to be covered, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the Ministry of Environment on or before 24th February, 2024 for those who have already commence such operations.
He warned that there is total restriction of laying cables and that defaulters would be arrested and prosecuted according to environmental laws of the state.”
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