The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecom industry regulatory commission, has released a new ‘Guidelines on Technical Specifications’ for the Deployment of Infrastructure in the Communication Sector in Nigeria’ as part of its regulatory initiatives to protect people living around such towers from emission hazards and protect the environment.
The commission, in the latest guideline, restricted mounting of towers above 25 metres in height in residential areas and also spelt out penalties for telecom companies that contravene the new regulatory order.
Similarly, it also specified that towers that remained unused for three years must be removed by the operator within a 90 day period of notice by the NCC, failure of which would attract a N250,000 penalty.
The industry regulator stated that the guidelines were to ensure public safety and sound engineering practices by service providers and operators.
The commission further clarified: “Communications towers above 25 metres in height would not be permitted within districts delineated as residential.
“Notwithstanding sub-paragraph (4) of this guideline, where towers in excess of 25 metres in height are permitted, they should be placed at a minimum setback of 10 meters distance to the nearest demised property, excluding the fence. Prior permission must be obtained from the Commission.
“Towers and masts sited in contravention of these Guidelines shall be removed and the owner of the tower shall bear the cost of such removal.
“Notwithstanding sub-paragraph, a tower, exceeding 150 metres in height, may be approved by the Commission if it is satisfied that the increased height of the tower will not be detrimental to public health, safety or general welfare, will not have a negative effect on the neighbourhood, is in conformity with the plan of the particular area and the general plan of the community” said the NCC.
“A tower that has not been used for a continuous period of three years may be deemed to have been abandoned. Upon the determination of abandonment, the Commission shall issue a removal notice to the owner, whereupon the owner shall dismantle and remove the tower from the property within 90 days of the receipt of notice from the Commission.
“An abandoned tower that is not removed within the 90 day period may be removed by the Commission and the removal costs as well as a minimum penalty of two hundred and fifty thousand naira shall be paid by the owner to the Commission”, the NCC added.
