Ime Akpan
The director general of the Nigerian Civil aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Muhtar Usman has called on the telecommunications operators to remit all their outstanding debts running into millions of naira to the agency without further delay.
Speaking during a meeting with the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) held at the NCAA headquarters in Lagos, Usman said under the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (Establishment) Act, Section 7(1) (n), 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.
‘Therefore, pursuant to the above provision, the Regulatory Authority requires an aviation height clearance (AHC) approval for every high rise structure, mast, tower installation, irrespective of the height and location.
“According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) Part 12.1.7.1.11.the AHC shall remain in force for a period of one year when it shall be due for renewal unless suspended or cancelled by the Authority.
“Similarly, the holder of an AHC certificate shall ensure proper records of AHC granted to it and the renewal of the AHC at least 30 days to the expiry date,” he said.
Muhtar condemned the directive by the association to its members to stop payments until all the issues are resolved.
He said NCAA had been reluctant to review the fees for so many years even when the reality at inception of the charges had changed considerably.
Quoting the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) Part 12.1.7.1.12, Muhtar said “the Authority shall carry out surveillance inspection of existing structure within the Nigerian Airspace – on aerodrome or off aerodrome to ascertain the compliance level of the structures with safety measures in terms of painting, markers, lightings and approved heights for the structures.
With this, there is a compulsory continuity in surveillance inspection of existing structures within the Nigerian airspace to ensure sustenance of safety of air navigation.”
He therefore said all operators with arrears of payments should endeavour to remit such without further delay to avoid sanction.
“NCAA will continue to demonstrate zero tolerance for non-adherence to safety requirement as enshrined in the Civil Aviation Regulations. Sundry violations will be viewed seriously,” he added.
“Nig.CARs Part 12.1.7.1.6. stipulates that, the Authority shall use all legal means of ensuring the removal of any structure(s) which are erected or constructed without compliance with the provision of these Regulations,” he added.
Responding, the president of ALTON, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo requested for a meeting with the director general to resolve certain perceived grey areas.
The grey areas, he said include the fact that AHC should be a one off exercise, there should be no renewals and structures for AHC should be selective
He also requested for a bilateral committee consisting officials of both NCAA and ALTON to be established to hold periodic meetings for a smooth working relationship.
