Gemtel GSM operates in Rumbek

By Manyang Mayom

December 13, 2007 (RUMBEK) — The long waited Gemtel GSM Company operates now in the capital of Lakes states after an official opening ceremony on Wednesday 12 December.

The opening was attended by GOSS minister of Telecommunication and Postal Service Maj. Gen Gier Chuang Aluong, Daniel Awet Akot the governor of Lakes State together with his cabinet and members of parliament of Lakes State legislative assembly.

Chuang said that Gemtel is now operating in Torit, Bor, and now here in Rumbek, he appealed to Lakes State citizens to postpone ethnic conflicts in the state and band under umbrella of development of the state.

Governor Awet said “that the year 2008 is the year for peace and reconciliation so that we can heal our wound grievances and we can not again ring ourselves a bell of war” we must build the better society now for making business between Kaja, Yei, Juba, Kapoko and Uganda, plus everywhere that our businessmen maybe interesting to access their goods commodities to reached Rumbek.

The lakes governor said the arrival of Gemtel would enhance the economic development and business in the region.

Isaac Latho a businessman since 1987 said the arrival of the GSM firm will make live easy for his business.

“Our business has got many breakdown with Uganda due to the lack of networking telephone system, now I’m speaking to my wife in Atlanta USA, Ugandans friends event Juba I have managed one call; and it was very surprise to me to talk to my people while I’m in Rumbek.”

The Chinese co-owned company has started with a GSM network in Juba and Yei. Gemtel headquarters is in Yei. They use the gateway of Uganda (256), working with an interconnection agreement with the Ugandan Telecom (UTL).

(ST)