Operators balk at NCAA’s plans to destroy 7,000 GSM masts

Nigeria's GSM operators are in hot water as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has threatened to destroy 7,000 GSM masts, labeling them as illegal structures. This ultimatum comes as the operators have been given 30 days to obtain the required aviation height clearance, failing which their infrastructure will face demolition. The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, shed light on the situation in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. He highlighted that the NCAA had previously granted clearance for the 7,000 masts in question, making it perplexing for the operators to now face the demand for annual renewal fees for each structure. The operators argue that since the infrastructure's height and location remain unchanged, the imposition of annual renewal is unjustifiable. Adebayo emphasized that the operators fully comply with the aviation regulations by obtaining the necessary clearances before erecting any infrastructure around airports or along flight paths to ensure aircraft navigation safety. However, the bone of contention lies in the new requirement for annual renewal fees, which the operators see as a form of multiple taxation. The situation escalated further when the NCAA moved forward with the threat of dismantling the 7,000 masts, prompting Adebayo to stress the importance of clear communication and adherence to due process. He mentioned that a joint working committee was supposed to address the issues, but the NCAA's premature actions have raised concerns of revenue objectives superseding safety considerations. Adebayo revealed that high-level government intervention has been sought to mediate the dispute and prevent a national blackout, should the masts be dismantled. He underscored the critical role of the GSM infrastructure in Nigeria's economy, emphasizing that decommissioning should not be at the discretion of any government agency other than security authorities. The ongoing saga between the GSM operators and the NCAA underscores the need for harmonization of regulations and effective communication mechanisms to prevent such disputes from arising in the future. As the stakeholders await further clarity on the way forward, the spotlight remains on the delicate balance between regulatory compliance, revenue generation, and national infrastructure security in Nigeria's telecommunications sector.