FCT loses N500m revenue to unlawful masts, towers

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS), says it has lost about N500 million in revenue to masts erected without approval in the territory.

The Director, Dr Babagana Adam, stated this during an interactive session with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

He said available records with the FCT administration since the inception of the department showed that 3,050 masts erected in the city had no genuine approval.

Adam explained that some companies only paid for the permit and refused to pay the processing fee of N1.5 million to go ahead and erect their masts and towers.

"We have lost about N500 million to illegal masts and towers in the territory.

"The permit for erecting a mast is N20, 000; the processing fee is N1.5 million." But many don't pay; they only pay for the permit and go ahead to erect their masts and towers.

"We discovered this when some communities filed a complaint at the National Assembly that the noise from the towers was affecting them and needed to be addressed," he said.

He said that in the whole of the nation's capital, only 320 masts and towers have been certified.

Adam said that most of the mobile subscribers only apply without paying the requisite dues.

The director said that necessary steps would betaken to ensure that the enforcement by the agency does not violate human rights.