Telecos, Sierra Leone gov't discuss royalty payments

A Tuesday meeting at the Sierra Leone Ministry of Information and Communication addressed the royalties paid by GSM operators for the construction of facilities in the provinces.

Reportedly called by GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) operators, the meeting involved the operators, local council chiefs, paramount chiefs, resident ministers and Deputy Minister of Local Government Raymond Kabbia.

GSM operators have found it difficult to determine who they should deal with in terms of payment.

A long deliberation was held between the various groups to determine the party entitled to receive the money paid by these GSM operators for building facilities such as transmission poles, satellite dishes and substations.

Some of the elders of the various communities present claimed that they are entitled to the royalties, as they are the landowners.

Information Minister Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo assured the different parties that a special group comprising all of the stakeholders will be established to resolve the matter amicably.

Kargbo will convene another meeting next month for further deliberation on the matter.