By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
The residents of Muhammadu Buhari Police Estate, along Badagry Expressway, Lagos State have protested the installation of telecommunication mast in the estate, just as they threatened a legal battle if not reversed.
They claimed that the manager of the estate, which belongs to Nigeria Police Cooperative, Remax Realtors has failed to obtain the requisite approval from the appropriate authorities before embarking on the installation.
The residents also alleged that the manager of the estate did not consider the health hazard of such mast in a residential estate.
They expressed dissatisfaction in a petition addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police/Executive Secretary, Nigeria Police Cooperative multi-purpose Society Limited, Ikeja, Lagos, AIG Oyediran Adesoye and Relax Realtors, dated March 25, 2024 titled, ” Notice of Legal Action Due To Unlawful Erection of Telecommunication Mast In Muhammed Buhari, Estate Mowo, Badagry Lagos.”
It stated in part that ” Failure to comply with these demands will compel our clients to seek legal recourse, including but not limited to seeking an injunction from the appropriate court to halt all construction activities until legal compliance is achieved.”
However, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Remax Realtors Mrs Funke Adesoji described the claims as unfounded, saying all the necessary approval have been obtained, before the consent by the Police authority for the installation.
In a telephone chat with our correspondent, she said, ” The operator that wanted to install the mast approached us, and they brought all their approval and records.
“As I speak to you, the police cooperative has approved for the mast to be erected. If they(residents) have any problem, they should visit the Police.
“What is the purpose of a mast, its relevant and how does it affect the health before we jump into conclusion? The residents of the estate are going to benefit mostly from the mast. It is not affecting their health by any means.
“The residents think I have collected hundreds of millions of Naira. Some people have been living in that estate for eight years and I wanted to ask how much are they paying for maintenance of infrastructure, or security? For the Police officers in the estate, Remax Realtors is paying them on a monthly basis.
“If I have the means to develop the estate and improve the lives of the people, will I not take it; I am a businesswoman. How much is the operator paying per year?.”
“If I wanted to have any consideration on the location of the mast, it will be with the Nigerian Police Cooperative.
“Every resident have their own allocation of land and anything outside your space does not belong to you. Where the mast is located right now is not on anybody’s house or entrance.
“The operator is paying N1.5 million per year and we intend to use the money to fence the place.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police/Executive Secretary, Nigeria Police Cooperative multi-purpose Society Limited, Ikeja, Lagos AIG Oyediran Adesoye, in a signed letter dated March 25, 2024 and titled, “Re-request for approval for the installation of mast at Muhammed Buhari Estate, Mowo, Badargy, approved the mast installation.
Also speaking in a telephone chat the Police Public Relations Officer Nigeria Police Cooperative Multi- purpose Society Limited, SP Hauwa Idris Adamu confirmed the receipt of the petition by the AIG, saying he is working on it.
” Yes, we have received the petition and the AIG is working on it”, the Police Cooperative Multi- purpose Society simply said.
According to the petition, the residents are protesting against the non- compliance with the provisions of the section 10 (1), 11 (3) of the NCC guidelines for the installation of telecommunications masts and Towers 2009,
It stated that Remax Realtors, in contravention of established laws and regulations, has failed to comply with essential legal requirements, including but not limited to failure to obtain: BTS Permit, Aviation Height Clearance Permit (AHC), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Compliance, Local Government Stacking Permit and Nigeria Communications Commission License.
It stressed that the NCC Guidelines for the installation of Telecommunications Masts and Towers 2009 clearly states that: “Any person erecting a telecommunication mast or towers whose height exceeds 20 meters shall be required to obtain a permit from the commission before such mast or tower is erected.”
The petition reads: “ The provisions of Section 11(3) of the aforementioned guidelines enunciates further: “ It shall not be lawful for a person to engage in the business of installation of telecommunication mast and towers without a valid license issued by the commission.”
“Furthermore, despite numerous attempts to engage Remax Realtors and bring them to a reasonable resolution, all efforts have fallen on deaf ears. Remax Realtors have failed to involve the Community Development Association (CDA) of Muhammed Buhari Estate, Mowo, Badagry, Lagos State, indicating a disregard for the local community and established protocols that has brought the community to its present state of development.
“The aforementioned violations do not only showcase Remax Realtors’ lack of respect for legal procedures but also raise serious concerns about the health and well-being of the residents residing in close proximity to the mast within Muhammadu Buhari Estate, Mowo, Badagry, Lagos State.
“The construction of telecommunication infrastructure without proper permits and clearances can lead to electromagnetic radiation exposure, which has been associated with various health risks like cancer amidst others.
“On behalf of our client, we urge the Nigeria Police under your esteemed leadership, to take immediate and decisive action in addressing this matter.
“We request a thorough investigation into Remax Realtors’ actions, enforcement of applicable laws and regulations, and the suspension of mast construction until all necessary permits, clearances, and environmental assessments are obtained and deemed compliant by relevant authorities.
“Furthermore, we implore your office to collaborate with relevant agencies such as the National Communications Commission (NCC), the Community Development Association (CDA) of Muhammadu Buhari Estate, Mowo, Badagry, Lagos State, and the local government to ensure full compliance and adherence to legal and environmental standards.
“We trust in the diligent efforts of the Nigeria Police to uphold justice, protect the rights of the community, and safeguard our environment and health from potential hazards arising from unlawful activities.
However, the Lagos State Government through the State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agenccy (LASIMRA), among others, in a document sighted by our correspondent granted an approval for the construction of the mast.
In the approval titled” Permit No: LASIMRA/V-METER N5400334/ official Permit, dated 1st February 2024, signed by one Mrs. Oluwatoyin Oladeji on behalf of the GM/CEO, listed the Mohammed Buhari Estate among other sites granted approval.
While alleviating the fear of the residents on the health hazard, the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) in its Health Report, titled “Health Implication of Mounting Telecommunication Mast Close To Buildings”asserted that BTS radiation scare is a myth and not reality.
