NCAA accuses telecos of frustrating moves to avert demolition 7,000 masts

…Telcom sector now subject of attack by government agencies -ALTON

Ladesope Ladelokun

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says its planned demolition of 7,000 telecommunications masts and is the last resort after failed attempts to get alleged defaulters to the negotiation table

over their purported failure to obtain the statutory Aviation Height Clearance (AHC) which resulted in issuing a 30-day ultimatum to affected operators.

The spokesman of NCAA, Mr Sam Adurogboye, in an interview with The Daily Times said the move to demolish 7,000 masts and towers was necessary because the aviation authority was left to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea

after affected telcos like Glo telecommunication and other defaulters allegedly failed to respond to letters written to them and other entreaties to avert the planned demolition of their facilities.

He said the two unpleasant of options before Nigerians and NCAA was to watch aircrafts hit masts and kill people in the air and on the ground or suffer the consequences of demolishing their masts.

He, however, told The Daily Times that the planned demolition could be averted if the affected companies come back to the negotiation table and the records are examined with a view to resolving all the issues.

“If they come over, we will look at the records, the one we need to bring to permissible level, we will bring it to permissible level and clear the issues raised”, he said

Responding to the ultimatum issued by NCAA, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ALTON) said it was unfortunate that telcos had become subject of incessant attacks by government agencies.

“Our association went to see the DG, NCAA about three months ago and that was to discuss the issue of Aviation Height Clearance (AHC) and we concluded on a committee to look into it.

It sounds very strange, but also very interesting, because it speaks to the fact that our sector has become the subject of attack from agencies. So, to the NCAA and the public,I will say if they going to dismantle those sites, good luck to them.

“As an industry, we are not going to rebuild any of the sites. So, what the NCAA is doing is to throw the country into telecom blackout,” he said