The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said it will soon demolish some telecommunication masts in different locations within the country that are obstructing the country’s air space.
The NCAA had in April warned all Global System for Mobile Communications providers and telecom operators to reposition their masts in line with safety regulations.
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, “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.
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“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 mast, others had failed to do the same.
He said the telecommunication operators which had not regularised their mast 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 mast; 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.