Emma Okonji examines the risks attendant on the installation of Base Transceiver Stations and communications masts around residential buildings
Base Transceiver Station (BTS), commonly referred to as base station, is a telecommunications mast that houses telecoms antennae, which are devices used to receive and transmit telecoms signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Since the inception of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) in Nigeria in 2001, telecoms operators have always installed BTS for the transmission of telecoms signals and the BTS is powered 24/7 by generating sets.
Risks
The BTS had initially been installed away from residential buildings to avoid health risks that could emanate from either the radioactive emission from the antennae or from fumes released by the generating sets. But in recent times, telecoms operators are seen installing masts close to buildings, and in most cases, masts are installed on roof tops. Aside the possible health risks, there are fears that the mast could collapse when subjected to strong wind because of its height and lead to damage of buildings and, consequently, death of persons living around the installed BTS.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has tried to allay fears about health risks from electromagnetic emission from BTS, insisting that there is no scientific research that has proved it otherwise. But even at that, subscribers are still sceptical that the endless fumes and noise from BTS generating sets pose serious health risks, since most telecoms masts are now located close to residential buildings.
Another area of concern raised by subscribers is about the communications masts used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), radio stations and television stations, designed for the transmission of radio wave signals from one location to another. Nigerians have been witnesses to the collapse of such masts, whether in use or out of use, causing death of humans and damage to buildings and other property.
The fears about the hazards of BTS and communications masts are on the increase, as many worry that their lives may be in danger, especially those living close to installed masts.
Complaints
Subscribers living in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and other cities of the country have continued to raise fears about the likely health risks associated with electromagnetic emissions from BTS.
Some who spoke with THISDAY in Lagos said they were worried about the health hazards likely to emanate from the direct inhalation of fumes from generating sets used to power base stations. Some said the masts were installed too close to their buildings and that the generator fume is making them very uncomfortable. They are afraid that the continuous inhaling of the fume could cause serious health hazards.
A civil servant with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Azeez Olawale, who narrated his ordeal, told THISDAY that aside the fume, the noise from the generator that powers the BTS close to his Maryland residence was becoming unbearable. He called on relevant bodies, especially telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to come to their rescue.
Other persons, who had similar complaints, said they had in the past experienced collapsed masts, especially during strong wind, though none caused damage to buildings and household property. They said most people had lost their lives to the collapse of masts and called on government to address the ugly situation without further delay.
Government Position
The Lagos State Infrastructure Management and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), the government agency responsible for regulating infrastructure installation and use in Lagos State, has been at the forefront of efforts to address the hazards associated with telecoms and communication masts in the state. Sensing danger in the installation of masts close to residential buildings, LASIMRA has embarked on a clampdown on communications masts set up around residential buildings, especially the ones that are no longer in use by their owners. Yet many of the masts remain and they pose serious dangers to people living in the areas where they are installed.
LASIMRA has severally warned mast owners, especially abandoned masts, to pull them down because of the risk they pose to people living around the locations. The agency had in the past supervised the pulling down of communications masts in Lagos in a bid to sanitise the Lagos airspace and make it risk free.
Assurance
In spite of the health risks, telecommunications operators have argued that there is no established health risk associated with telecoms base stations. Chairman, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, says Nigerians should not panic over electromagnetic emission from base stations, arguing that the amount of emission from BTS is too infinitesimal to cause health hazards to humans. Speaking on the issue of fumes and sound from BTS generating sets, Adebayo said all telecoms operators had installed soundproof generators that completely absorb sound from those generating sets used to power BTS.
Community Perspective
Although some communities are against the installation of BTS around residential buildings, some communities welcome the idea and even go as far as inviting telecommunications operators to install BTS around their residential buildings, just for the financial gain.
Some families within communities collect rent, as much as N5 million, from telecoms operators for an initial payment and about N500,000 yearly fee, for every BTS installed in their compound. The financial gains have lured some of them to leave close to BTS, despite the risks.
NCC Position
Concerned about public safety, NCC, on April 9, 2009, issued guidelines for the installation of telecommunications and communications masts in the country. The guidelines clearly recommend stiff penalty for any operator that may defies the rules.
The guidelines provide standards to be adhered to by telecommunications services providers/operators, designers, fabricators and installers of telecommunications towers in order to ensure environmental safety and sound engineering practices.
The guidelines also provide a comprehensive data on wind speeds in Nigeria, which may be used as reference material for engineers in the design of masts and towers.
The reason is that most mast collapses are caused by strong wind.
According to NCC, all masts and towers sited within residential areas must conform to the setback stipulated in the guidelines, in order to mitigate the effect of heat, smoke and noise pollution arising from BTS generating sets.
NCC further said telecommunications towers above 25 metres in height would not be permitted within districts delineated as residential. It added that all masts should be placed at a minimum setback of five metres distance to the nearest property, excluding the fence.
The 2009 guidelines stated that non-compliance with the mandatory provisions of the guidelines shall be deemed to be an offence punishable under relevant provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
But in spite of the guidelines and the attached penalties for violation of the guidelines, Nigerians have continued to groan under the hazards associated with indiscriminate siting of masts in residential quarters.
