Trying Times For Telecoms Mast Owners

•NCC officials sealing off a telecoms mast

•NCC officials sealing off a telecoms mast

This is not the best times for telecommunications mast owners in Nigeria as more states and government agencies continue to insist on their payment of multiple fees or face sanctions.

About a month ago, the Lagos State government threatened to sanction telecommunication mast owners for allegedly not paying the appropriate levy before erecting masts in different parts of the state.

Just as the matter was resolved, after the telecoms mast owners complied with the state government’s directive, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA issued another  ultimatum to the mast owners to pull down their masts as they pose threats to aviation navigation.

•NCC officials sealing off a telecoms mast
•NCC officials sealing off a telecoms mast

The ultimatum was issued despite the fact that   before erecting  masts, the  owners got approval from both the NCC and  National Environmental Standards and Regulatory and Enforcement Agency, NESREA, the two agencies that regulate telecoms infrastructure in the country, NCAA insisted that the masts must go down.

The three-month ultimatum issued by the NCAA to the telecoms mast owners will elapse next month and industry observers are waiting to see whether NCAA will make good its threat.

Last week, the Ogun State Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning announced it plans to shut telecommunication masts, towers and parabolic antennae erected in all parts of the state if the owners failed to obtain due approvals.

The state Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Mr. Adebayo Fari, in a statement issued in Abeokuta  said that  “A responsible government cannot stand aside and allow the violation of its law to continue without taking appropriate measures to reverse it.

“The government of Ogun State is concerned about the blatant disregard for its planning regulations by cell site developers, who have not obtained the requisite permits from the Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning before installing urban furniture, including telecommunications antennae, masts and towers on lands and buildings in the state.”

The commissioner said further that in pursuance of its powers to monitor the state’s physical development plans, his ministry would embark on a statewide enforcement drive to locate, mark and shut any development, including erecting telecommunication masts, towers, parabolic antennae and any other types of antennae, and similar structures without a written approval from the government.

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He advised stakeholders in the industry to regularise their installations in the state before 20 September by providing details of the installations, evidence of payment of appropriate fees, approvals obtained, details of installers and contractors as well as an inventory of installations, including generators and power inverters, among others.

While similar threats continue to pour in from other states across the country, stakeholders  are worried that the development is unhealthy for the sector.

Currently, the NCC and NESREA are the two agencies constitutionally empowered to regulate telecoms infrastructure in the country but state agencies are now insisting on also performing the same role.

Speaking with P.M.NEWS BusinessWorld on the issue, an industry stakeholder, Chief Kazeem Oladimeji, said the constant bickering between government agencies on who should regulate telecoms infrastructure is something that should be addressed urgently.

“Now if the argument is on standard, are there standards? Which agency is better placed to determine standards in the telecoms industry? I believe NCC is in a better position to  determine the standard in telecoms. NESREA and state agencies should focus on environmental laws, guidelines and policies.

“Either way, the discord is unhealthy for the only thriving sector of Nigeria’s economy hobbled by years of mismanagement and neglect. Lawyers and indeed the federal government must step up and draw clear boundaries between these agencies.”

Oladimeji wants government to shut down some agencies that have lost their relevance.

“It is  high time the Federal Government shut down some of its duplicating agencies that are busy doing nothing. Telecom investments, quality of service and indeed Nigerians are suffering as the agencies bicker,” he said.

—Henry Ojelu

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