2023-10-17 14:44:40
BURKINA-LOROUM-TELEPHONIE
Loroum: The absence of the telephone network hampers resilience actions
Ouahigouya, (AIB)-Repeated sabotage of telephone installations ended up isolating the localities of Loroum. In Titao, calling, browsing the internet or receiving a phone call has become a real obstacle course. It is on the elevations of the city that the lucky ones manage to capture lost waves to send messages at certain times of the day. Despite representations by the provincial authority to telephone operators, nothing seems to be moving.
It’s 6 p.m. Soumaila Ganamé, radio presenter, is busy on Hill P, a high point in the city.
He moves back and forth to better locate the telephone network signal. Soumaïla must download the latest information and broadcasts of the day.
Next to him, around ten people stand idly on this hill which has become emblematic in these times of security crisis.
Head down to receive messages from his correspondents but attentive to the slightest alert.
Hill P is where many people from Titaol try to keep in touch with loved ones outside.
“We are directly impacted by the lack of network both in the hosting of shows where we were forced to reinvent ourselves and in the hosting of information sessions. For interactive broadcasts we are obliged to make physical contact with the speakers through sidewalk microphones,” states Mr. Ganamé.
He confides that “Every evening, it is to the top of the hills that we leave to hope to have the little information to share with our listeners. This is also where we receive the programs to be broadcast and instructions from our partners.”
Noufou Boina is an actor in community development. Member of an association still active in the locality, he supports the implementation of development projects on the ground.
And to do this, Mr. Boina must remain in contact with those responsible for the structure based in Ouahigouya. Just like Ganamé, Boïna is also a subscriber to the hill.
“The network problem is causing us a lot of inconvenience. Its absence causes problems in coordinating activities. Losses of communication credit and withdrawals of subscription numbers are frequent,” notes Mr. Boina, who says he runs risks by regularly venturing to the hill.
Since the telephone networks have not worked well, patient care has also taken a big hit. The problem is even greater when it comes to maternal health.
“Before, we could call a family member during the night to accompany a woman in labor to a health facility. Today, the fact that there is no network, women are forced to give birth at home without health assistance,” continues Boïna.
The only network that has not been interrupted is Telecel Faso. But it is so busy that it is saturated.
“We salute this operator for the efforts made. It is this network that maintains the minimum of communication within the city,” he notes before heaving a long sigh.
In Titao, the absence of a network affects all socio-economic layers. Community leaders say they are victims of isolation.
Jean Sawadogo is a religious leader. He must always refer to the hierarchy for instructions. “The absence of the network makes our task difficult because we cannot get in touch with the hierarchy. We call on national authorities to take the problem seriously.”
Like Jean Sawadogo, Philippe Niampa, another religious leader drives the point home “As a religious leader, we received support from our friends who are outside. But with network problems transactions are difficult and we have not received any support. This has harmful consequences on our faithful who benefited from this aid”;
Harouna Boina, a local leader, worries, “The situation is becoming untenable. Each operator must make an effort to restore the network.”
On the side of electronic money transaction services, the consequences are more visible. Work is often at a standstill. The network problem made activities sluggish. Turnovers are down drastically. However, the context requires it. It is an important means of building population resilience.
There are thousands of vulnerable people living off humanitarian funds paid to beneficiaries in electronic money. The use of electronic money is the only way of financial transactions, as access to the locality by road is impossible.
Faced with these cries of heart, several steps were taken by the High Commissioner of the Loroum province with telephone operators but they remained in vain. The provincial authority even made proposals to telephone operators in terms of support for the travel of technical teams. In the meantime, the populations of Titao continue to flock to the hills in search of the precious sesame.
Burkina Faso Information Agency
ASO/hb/bz
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