RESIDENTS and house owners at Alalubosa Layout, Government Reserved Area (GRA), Ilorin, Kwara State, have cried out to the local, state and federal agencies concerned with environment matters on the urgent need to dismantle the telecommunication masts erected in the residential area over physical and health dangers inherent therein.

Speaking with Community News, the people of the area lamented the serious hazards and security risks posed by the communication mast, "especially, when strange faces come in very late at night to work at the sites."

The residents also said that heavy vehicles carrying materials to the sites had damaged their roads, thus over-taxing their efforts at maintaining essential infrastructure and provide security services in the area.

In a letter written to the state Town Planning Authority, signed by the chairman of the residents' association, Mr A.T. Aduragba, and the secretary, Isong Inyangudoh, and made available to journalists in Ilorin, the people said the approval given by the town planning authority was with disregard to the interests of residents.

"With the invasion of the by communication companies, our modest efforts at maintaining friendly and safe environment were being jeopardised. One of the these communication masts is erected right by the fence of one of our members. And the fact that the environmental impact assessment, allegedly carried out, sequel to the erection of the mast never took into consideration the fears, the dangers and other negative aspects that may affect residents of the area. We are also informed that protest letters sent to your office are completely ignored", the letter read.     

Also speaking, the owner of the house where the mast was erected, Mr. Isong Inyangudoh, said it was obvious that those who gave backing to the erection had resolved to unleash on him and members of his family, mental and psychological assault.

"Since December 30, 2011, the generator at the station has been running 24 hours daily non-stop. The noise and the vibrations emanating from there have made my residence a danger zone. Members of my family find it difficult to sleep well. My wife has developed migraine while the children keep on asking what is happening around them as they are not used to such disturbance. My wife has gone to the extent of threatening to pack out of the residence by herself if I do not evacuate her and the children from the dangerous environment.