Safety: NCAA warns over illegal masts erection
As part of its oversight responsibilities in ensuring safety and security in the Nigerian airspace, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) yesterday warned all operators of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) to ensure they always obtain Aviation Height Clearance (AHC), Permits and Licences before construction of high rise structures.
Others affected by the warning are landing facilities owners, stakeholders and the general public.
NCAA is embarking on the measure to ensure safety of all aircraft at airports across the country, adding that some of the structures constitute major obstacles to approach and descent of air carriers.
These permits, aviation height clearance and licences, the aviation regulatory authority said are to be obtained before the construction of tower, telecommunication masts, high rise buildings/structures and landing facilities.
Spokesman for NCAA, Sam Adurogboye said these landing facilities also include construction of Helipad/Helideck for civil use and Heliports.
He stated that this action is in line to the Civil Aviation Act. 2006 Part IX (30) (L) which empowers the authority to prohibit, regulate and remove any structure which, by virtue of its height or position, is considered to endanger the safety of aircraft operations.
In addition, the Civil Aviation Act. 2006 Part IX (30) (K) stipulates that the Authority will grant and certify licences for the construction of Helipads, Helidecks, and Heliports.
His words, “It is therefore an exercise in illegality to operate into a heliport (surface level, elevated or helideck) without the approval of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)”.
“On the other hand, for those who want to renew their heliport certificate, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) Part 12.10.6 highlights that Heliports operators are required to commence the process of renewal of Heliport Certificate not less than 90 days to the date of expiration of the certificate”.
Adurogboye stated that it is the regulatory would therefore view very seriously and run the rule over any violation of these safety measures.
Google+
