Ime Akpan
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced immediate commencement of decommissioning of 7,012 telecommunication masts belonging to Globacom Nigeria Limited in different locations in the country.
The spokesman for the agency, Mr. Sam Adurogboye said in a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday that the company had failed to obtain aviation height clearance certificate for its masts.
“While some of the providers and operators have since commenced regularisation of their masts, others have failed to do same,” he said.
The agency also said the exercise will similarly affect some banks and financial institutions that had discountenanced regulatory requirements on the clearance to erect any high structure within the navigable airspace in Nigeria.
It listed the other affected organisations as Guaranty Trust Bank, 295; Unity Bank, 217; Sterling Bank, 159; Union Bank, 92 masts; First City Monument Bank, 205; and Access Bank 303 masts are.
The agency said it had earlier warned all the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) providers and telecomm operators against violation of safety regulations.
Besides, it said it had earlier issued a 30-day ultimatum to the affected organisations to comply with the regulatory requirements.
“The Regulatory Authority is left with no choice as the 30-day ultimatum given to those telecommunication service providers has expired.
“Prior to the expiration of the ultimatum, letters of reminder were written to all affected organisations to obtain aviation height clearance (AHC) for their masts.
“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.
“In line with this, the Regulatory Authority requires an Aviation Height Clearance (AHC) approval for every tower installation in the country irrespective of the height and location.
“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,” said NCAA.
