Following public outcry and intensive moves by associations and major stakeholders in the Nigerian Telecommunication sector, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has finally shelved its earlier plan to demolish over 7,000 telecommunication masts across the country.

Speaking through the NCAA General Manager, Public Relations, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, to newsmen, the authority, on Monday, said it had dropped its threat to demolish over 7,000 telecommunications masts belonging to some telecommunications providers erected across the country. 

He said the NCAA decided to withdraw the threat following the compliance of the affected companies with its directive to obtain the statutory Aviation Height Clearance (AHC). 

Mr. Adurogboye said “as you will recall, we sent out letters to them and the action has triggered them to a positive action that we want. It has prompted them to come around to discuss how to pay the outstanding money.

“We won’t get to the stage of dismantling since they have come and we are talking. The NCAA has opened a line of communication with Global Communications Limited and others. Hopefully, there will be no need to enforce the ultimatum.”

NCAA had issued a 30-day ultimatum starting from April 23 to some telcos who were said to be defaulters on the statutory Aviation Height Clearance (AHC) to obtain the Certificate or face their masts being pulled down by the agency for safety violations.

The threat was not just seen as an aspect of the multiple taxation burden borne by the sector operators but also marked as inconsiderate, given the terrible consequences of such as act on the nation’s economy, including the aviation industry.

That prompted swift reactions from the sector’s associations, including the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), and numerous other interested groups and persons.