Liberia's Airspace Needs Navigational Security - Towers Planted Without Lights Pose Risks to Planes

The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Dr. Frederick Norkeh has expressed concern over mobile-phone GSM companies, radio and television stations in the country indiscriminately erecting towers all over the country without lights on them to ensure navigational safety to planes and other flying objects.

The Postal Affairs Minister made the disclosure during a news conference that took place at the Ministry of Postal Affairs recently. He warned that in the absence of towers being planted around the country without lights and other warning signals, aircrafts helicopters and other users of the airspace risk involvement in accidents.

The Post and Telecommunications Minister highlighted that the presence of such lights and other warning signals are essential for aircraft navigational safety and even for the safety of residents in communities where these poles and towers are erected.

He said it will be very disastrous for residents in communities where these poles and towers are located in case there is an air accident involving planes hitting into such towers. He said the Liberian government can be sued by planes that may involve into such accidents.

Dr. Norkeh noted that protecting Liberia's air-space will give users the opportunity to easily move in every part of the country. He thus urged the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) and the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that laws are promulgated by the National Legislature to that effect and to make sure that such laws aree rigorously enforced without fear or favor.

He said such a legal framework will go a long way in mitigating plane crashes especially at night as a result of the absence of such light. "The Liberian government can be sued for negligence if stakeholders concerned fail to implement such laws.

The Posts and Communications minister however lauded some radio stations, television stations and GSM companies that are making sure that towers that they are planting are fitted with navigational safety lights.

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