BIG TAKEOVER, NOVAFONE REPLACES COMIUM

NOVAFONE Executives

As LTA Board Chairperson emphasizes employment opportunities for Liberians
Daily Observer Business Correspondent Joaquin Sendolo writes/+231886838535
LTA Board Chairperson Weeks (left) stressing the need for good service and employment of Liberians and NOVAFONE executives (right).
COMIUM GSM, one of Liberia’s global services mobile (GSM) companies, is being replaced by another operator referred to as ‘NOVAFONE.’
NOVAFONE Incorporated’s formal takeover ceremony was held at the Royal Grand Hotel in Sinkor on September 12, 2013, where the chief executive officer of the new operator, Chady Salim, announced the replacement of COMIUM.
The change reflects the code for subscribers to now be 0555 instead of 05 once used by COMIUM subscribers, and can be activated at the central office in Congo Town using the same SIM card.
In his introductory statement, Mr. Salim told commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) and other officials of government that the management of NOVAFONE intends to commit itself to prioritizing Liberians in the area of employment.

“As LTA Board Chairperson emphasizes employment opportunities for Liberians”

As part of the effort to give preference to Liberians for employment, Mr. Salim indicated that those who were employed with COMIUM are still in the confine of the new company.
According to him the company has planned to sustainably empower market women by selling scratch and SIM cards through which they can earn money to improve their economic lives.
Even though it is not specified what the company will provide besides the operating services to customers, Mr. Salim in his statement noted that the company is also committed to meeting up with its corporate social responsibilities to the Liberian people.
Expanding to the entire country and having a clear signal to create convenient communication for subscribers were challenges faced by COMIUM, but the Management of NOVAFONE says such is over as the new operator will introduce the 4th Generation of mobile communications as it has done its ground work to cover 85% of the country.
Salim could not exactly state how much is being invested in this venture; he however noted, that the predecessor, COMIUM, had more payables and liabilities that they have to settle.
He said sub offices where transactions would take place besides NOVAFONE’s Congo Town office have been opened on Randall and Broad Streets and Red Light in Monrovia, and Tappita and Ganta in Nimba County.
Making a power point presentation of the technology, NOVAFONE Chief Technical Officer, Bechir Khoury said the technology is very effective and assured Liberians that it is going to give them the best internet services it can.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the LTA’s Board of Commissioners, Angelique E. Weeks, stressed that above all the company should prioritize Liberians in top positions.
She said employment of Liberians is a cardinal issue that government attaches seriousness to, and for the company to be of interest to them (Liberians), they must be given preference in terms of employment.
Ms. Weeks also emphasized the need for the management to abide by regulations of the telecommunications sector and to meet up with its social responsibilities to the people.
She acknowledged NOVAFONE that the competition in the sector is high and it must do its best to meet the taste of customers if it would survive in the business.
“As you are referred to as a star that shines beyond words, please do your best to satisfy customers and subscribers as others have the same technology you have now,” Ms Weeks said.