Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Tuesday said it would commence the immediate demolition of 8,805 telecommunication masts belonging to Globacom Nigeria Limited, banks and other financial institutions. Its spokesman, Sam Adurogboye disclosed this in a statement.

According to the NCAA spokesman, the demolition exercise will also affect some banks and other financial institutions who have discountenanced the Authority’s regulatory requirements on the clearance to erect any high structure within the navigable airspace in Nigeria.

He said the Regulatory Authority is left with no choice as the 30 – day ultimatum given to those telecommunication service providers has expired.

He said 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.

NCAA, Adurogboye said had earlier warned all Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) providers and telecom operators against violation of safety regulations.

He said a 30-day ultimatum was handed down for compliance.

Adurogboye 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.

He further said “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.

While some of the providers and operators have since commenced regularisation of their masts, others have failed to do same.”

The NCAA spokesman listed telecommunication operators which have not regularised their masts to include : Globacom Nigeria 7,012 masts, United Bank of Africa 439 masts, Guaranty Trust Bank 295 masts, Unity Bank 217 masts and Sterling Bank 159 masts.

Others are Union Bank 92 masts, First City Monument Bank 205 masts, Fidelity Bank 83 masts and Access Bank 303 masts. (The Nation)

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