Lagos State Begins Massive Dismantling Of Defective Telecom Masts.

The lagos state state government through it's representing agency, Urban Furniture Regulatory Agency ( UFRU ), today, began a massive clamp down and dismanteling of defective telecomunication masts owned by banks, lnsurance companies and internet service providers ( ISP ) in the state.

The masts removed by the agency were full of rust especially at the joints and faded paints. Signs of lack of maintenance were obvious. The agency started it's dismanteling operation with three banks, First Bank Agidingbi, UBA Acme Road and Union Bank  Ogba.

Addressing journalists on the development, the General Manager of the agency,  Engr Joe Igbokwe said that the agency has written to the affected organisations but they ignored these letters and failed to carry out maintenance on these infrastructures.

                          Engr Joe Igbokwe with Newsmen

" We have been on this for the past two years and they think we are only playing with words. Now we have started with these three banks,  First Bank Agidingbi, UBA Acme Road and Union Bank Ogba," he said

"There are over 5000 defective masts in Lagos. We have started now and will continue until June by which time we would have removed most of the defective masts." 

When asked if the agency has the financial muscle to finance the dismanteling of 5000 masts since each mast costs 250,000 to pull down,  the UFRU boss answered in the affirmative. 

"Yes we have the capacity to do it and we will do it." 

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Between 2009 and 2013 over 20 cases of Masts and base station collapse were reported, especially those of Oceanic bank in Adeola Odeku Victoria Island and DBN television station Lekki both of which claimed at least one life each.