By Emeka Aginam
Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah at the weekend in Colombo, Srilanka, called for more dedication by member nations of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization, CTO, to enable the organization meet its obligations and responsibilities in the global telecom committee of nations.

Dr. Juwah who spoke at the close of the Forum and Council meeting of the organization with 22 countries in attendance, said there is worry over the disposition of some member nations, especially in meeting their financial obligations to the organization to ensure its smooth running and implementation of programmes approved by the Council.

He said CTO is a very important organization which members can leverage advance the promotion of broadband and other necessary services that will enhance the lives of the citizens of the member countries. The major feature of this year’s event is the election of Mr. Larith Weeratunga, who is currently the Secretary to the President of Sri Lanka, as the new chairman of the CTO.

Underscoring the importance of the organization, Dr. Juwah said since CTO plays a major role in the election of officers of the ITU, it shows the organization stands in a good stead play very crucial roles it is playing for the benefit for the members.  This year’s event witnessed campaigns by aspirants  to ITU positions at the forthcoming Plenipotentiary of the ITU which will hold in Mexico from 4th to 22nd October 2010 as CTO’s support has contributed to the election of its key officials including the current Secretary General, Dr. Hammadoun Toure.

Meanwhile, the  Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) has announced the signing of an MOU with the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) to partner on capacity building initiatives on the application and use of satellite communications systems.