Celtel unveils Le2 billon cell site

The journey to what Celtel referred to as its most important site in the country started early Wednesday morning from Freetown.

The entourage, which left for the famous cell site above the hills of Moyamba junction, comprised of members of Parliament, National Telecoms Authority (NATCOM) officials, hosts of top Celtel Directors, staffs, journalists and paramedics.

Everyone on the trip was briefed before hand about the pervious nature of the journey to the site which lies about six miles above the highway at Moyamba junction.

The six miles mountain pathway which cost Celtel an extra Le300 million to construct to the imposing cell site truly began when the convoy of vehicles reached the steep sides of the mountain range. There were fears and even emotional panic by some as the cars vulnerably wobbled upwards. However, the fear factor suddenly melted when everyone reached up the top of the site safely.

Justifying the reason for such an expensive and risky cell site construction, Celtel Managing Director speaking at the site in front of MPs of the Parliamentary Committee of Information and Communications, and NATCOM Director, said despite the cost and position of the site, it was crucial to the operation of the mobile company countrywide. He said the cell site would cover a very long radius from the Mile 91 highway leading to Bo town and also the environs of Moyamba junction.

As these were environs which were once not covered by any mobile telecom, Sauti-Phiri justified its creation by saying that it would truly bring world class communications services to the people of those areas and Celtel subscribers through the Mile 91-Bo highway. The Celtel MD revealed that the site, which covers a 30 million square radius, will bring employment to the locals in the form of site maintenance and security personnel.

He also said most have already benefited from the Le300 million six-mile road construction to the site.

Hon Sahr Fasuluku, on his part, commended Celtel; saying that the colossal site would surely ease communication in an area where there was little or no coverage.

“I’m glad because people in this area can now communicate freely with less burden,” Fasuluku said.

Chief Alhaji Robert, speaker of the chiefdom, said finally his people will stop climbing up trees and taking transport to elsewhere just to have network in order to make cals.

“Now I can simply sit in my veranda and call or receive call from anywhere,” he said.

He also commended Celtel for a raffle they held some six months earlier in which many people won various prizes. “I can recall a boy whose long term aim was to go to University, but could not afford the money to do so. But he won a big generator from a Celtel raffle which he sold and then paid his fees to college. Celtel is truly a Bomba; no other network can put up such a magnificent site,” said Chief Robert.

The Director of Engineering and Technical Services NATCOM, Senesie Kallon, said it was the most wonderful cell site he has ever visited. He said the vantage position of the site means that it was the most important in the country.

“Celtel has truly done well in improving the communication sector in the country, because they cover every district and with this very important milestone they are truly helping the country gain a technical advantage in the advancement of not only the mobile sector but also the overall development of the social and economic sectors,” he said.

Kallon also observed that because a lot of traffic passes through the Bo-Mile 91 highway the site will ensure that majority of Sierra Leoneans benefit from it.

After a conducted tour of the site, the entire entourage drove down to the Moyamba junction community centre, where the Celtel MD donated 100 desks and chairs to the school located at the centre. The desks and chairs, which cost Le 5 million, were well received by the community members who heaped praises and applause on Celtel despite the heavy downpour of rain.

After the presentation and speeches, most community people expressed satisfaction about Celtel’s reduced tariff and the new Le75, 000 phone. One woman said Celtel has truly listened to their voices.