The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is about to demolish over 8,000 telecom masts belonging to some of the country’s mobile network operators across Nigeria.
This is coming after it said a month grace it gave to the telecom operator to remove the mast, which are violating safety regulations elapsed.
According to statement from Mr. Sam Adurogboye, spokesman of the NCAA, the demolition will also affect some banks and financial institutions which discountenanced the Authority’s regulatory requirements for clearance to erect any high structure within the navigable airspace in Nigeria.
“We are left with no choice as the 30–day ultimatum given to the telecommunication service providers involved has expired,” the statement reads.
He said a letter of reminder was written to all those affected to obtain Aviation Height Clearance (AHC) for their masts, but none complied.
The telecommunication operators and organisation, who have not regularised their masts according to NCAA are 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).
This makes it a total of 8,805 masts belonging to the aforementioned organisations.