LOCATION ADEQUACY OF TELECOMMUNICATION MASTS AND RESIDENTS LIVABILITY IN OSOGBO, NIGERIA

The study investigates the location adequacy of telecommunication masts and residents livability in Osogbo Local Government Nigeria. The inventory of mast in the study area was taken, the location analysis of mast and the effect of the masts and its location on residents was done. The study enumerated 35 masts located in different locations in the study area and random sampling (balloting) was used to select 12 masts in different locations. With cognizance to the acceptable standards, four zones were marked using 3m, 5m, 10m and 20m radii. for zones 1 to 4 respectively. The number of houses in each concentric zone formed the size of sample. Thus, a structured questionnaire was administered on 10 residents using systematic sampling. Correlation analysis was used to test the relationship between building-mast proximity and residents’ livability. Most masts were observed to be built very close (<10m) to residences. These houses were observed to experience high disturbance due to noise from the mast, vibrations, fumes from mast generator and pollution. Health problem like headache and sleep disorder due to noise and vibration from mast, respiratory disease were also observed among such residents. Property value decline and reduced patronage were experienced by landlords of the houses closest to mast. The study therefore recommends that planning authorities should be involved in the development of masts. The study also solicited an integrative approach to the technological development especially in areas requisite to human habitation. Policy makers, service providers, users and environmental managers should synergize together to make the technology in our environment suitable.