National Association of Telecommunication Subscribers, NATCOMS, yesterday, decried the indiscriminate closure of base stations by the National Environmental Standards Regulatory Enforcement Agency, NESREA.

In a statement by its National President, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, NATCOMS, said the action has resulted in telecommunications network disruption and poor quality of service to teeming Nigerian subscribers.

Ogunbanjo said: “We believe that the actions of any responsible agency of government should not be predicated on sentiments but by facts provided by recognised bodies and experts in the field: ICNIRP, ITU, WHO.

“The concern, according to NESREA, is the electromagnetic emission from base stations noted in residential areas. We have already noted that the World Health Organisation, WHO, has not confirmed that this electromagnetic emission from BTS (base stations) is harmful to human beings.”

He added: “We are also concerned about the effect of the indiscriminate closure of BTS sites on national security and social and economic activities of the teeming subscribers.

“With various threats of terror attacks and kidnappings in the country, effective communication networks are vital in addressing issues of national security and national emergencies.”