NCAA, Lagos to demolish buildings, masts, others obstructing flight paths

In a bid to clear air path and ensure safety of aircraft in operation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in conjunction with Lagos State Government have concluded plans to demolish high rise buildings, masts and other structures that pose danger to air safety.

 Spokesman for NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye in a statement stated that in the face of real and obvious threat to safe flight operations, NCAA and the Lagos State Government  have elected to work together to curb the danger posed by unauthorized high rise structures scattered around Lagos metropolis.

 This collaboration, Adurogboye said  was a resolution from a bilateral meeting between the NCAA Director General, Capt. Usman Muhtar and the officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development and Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

 The Director General was represented at the meetings by the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS), Mohammed Odunowo.

 Another meeting, he reiterated had been slated to review the operations.

The first meeting was held on April 26, 2018 and another one on May 17, 2018, at the NCAA’s Aviation House Office.

 He noted that with this synergy, it is expected that the two parastatals of the Lagos State Government will deploy their capacities in clearing all obstructions/obstacles along flight paths within the state.

 He said in addition, their resources will be used to spot where other landing facilities are located in Lagos. These landing facilities include Heliport, helipad, helideck and airstrip.

 His words, “In line with its regulatory functions, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed all intending developers or builders of high rise structures within the Aerodrome Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) should always apply to the authority for Aviation Height Clearance (AHC) and permit.

 It was similarly agreed that NCAA will provide the Lagos State agencies with a Flight Path Map to guide them in planning, development and granting of approvals for new structures in the state.

 Adurogboye disclosed that the aviation regulatory body was ready to enter into partnership that will guarantee the safety and security of flight operations.

 Just last year, the NCAA directed operators of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) to obtain Aviation Height Clearance (AHC) permits and licenses before constructing high rise structures.

 He said, “Periodically, we usually have meetings with the network providers and the level of compliance has been high. From time to time, when they are erecting masts here and there, they do not apply for permits and our people go to inspect”.

 “I don’t have the specific number of permits issued so far but I can tell you that there is high level compliance because they know if an aircraft makes contact with any high rise structure it will be disastrous.”

 The directive is part of NCAA’s oversight responsibilities which is principally to ensure safety and security of flight operations within Nigeria’s airspace.

 The authority directed that AHC permits were obtained before the construction of towers, communication masts, high rise buildings, structures and landing facilities.

Wole Shadare