NCAA Begins Demolition of 8,805 Masts Over Air Safety

• NCAA Begins Demolition of 8,805 Masts Over Air Safety

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority says it will commence the demolition of telecommunication masts in different locations within the country, immediately.

The NCAA, on Tuesday, said the demolition exercise would similarly affect some banks and financial institutions that had discountenanced its regulatory requirements on the clearance to erect any high structure within navigable airspace in the country.

The NCAA had in April warned all Global System for Mobile Communications providers and telecom operators against the violation of safety regulations, with a 30-day ultimatum handed down for compliance.

The regulatory agency’s General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye, said the NCAA had been left with no choice as the 30-day ultimatum given to the telecommunication service providers had expired.

He said prior to the expiration of the ultimatum, letters of reminder were written to all affected organisations to obtain Aviation Height Clearance.

According to him, the NCAA requires an Aviation Height Clearance approval for every tower installation in the country irrespective of the height and location.

He said, “This is derived from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NigCARS) Part 12.1.7.1.3.1 which stipulates that no person or organisation shall put up a structure (permanent or temporary) within the navigable airspace of Nigeria unless such a person or organisation is a holder of Aviation Height Clearance Certificate granted under this regulation.

“It should, therefore, be noted that under the Civil Aviation Act. 2006, section 30(3) (1), the NCAA is empowered to prohibit and regulate the installation of any structure which by virtue of its height or position is considered to endanger the safety of air navigation.”

Adurogboye stated that while some of the providers and operators had since commenced regularisation of their masts, others had failed to do the same.

He stated that the telecommunication operators which had not regularised their masts were Globacom Nigeria with 7,012 masts; United Bank of Africa, 439 masts; Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, 295 masts; Unity Bank, 217 masts; and Sterling Bank, 159 masts.

Others are Union Bank with 92 masts; First City Monument Bank, 205 masts; Fidelity Bank, 83 masts; and Access Bank with 303 masts.

“Therefore, a total of 8,805 masts belonging to the aforementioned organisations will be decommissioned forthwith. The NCAA wishes to reiterate that it will continue to apply requisite sanctions for violation of extant regulations. Especially, where the resolve of the Authority is tested,” he said.