Locational Effect of GSM Mast on Neighbouring Residential Properties' Rental Values in Akure, Nigeria

This paper examined the response of rents from residential properties to the siting of Global System for Mobile (GSM) Communications’ masts in various residential zones in Akure town. The study employed survey approach in order to understand the relationship that exists between location of GSM masts and rental values offered on proximate residential properties within a 300 metres radius of GSM masts. The town was divided into high, medium and Low density zone; and three GSM masts were selected from each of the zones for the study. In all, a total of 180 questionnaires were administered on residents within the radius and 139 (77.22%) were retrieved and good for analysis. Regression analysis was employed to determine the causal effect of GSM mast on the rental values of neighbouring residential properties in the study area. The findings revealed that the location of GSM mast has no significant effect on rental values of residential properties in the high and medium density residential zones of Akure. This is attributable to the fact that demand for residential properties in town is generally very high, and the residents are left without much choice due to attendant high rent charged on existing residential properties. However, there exists a positive effect on rental values of properties in the low density zone. There is need for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to follow the global trends on new findings about health implication of siting of GSM base stations around residential neighbourhood and ensure that international standard of safety is strictly adhered to by the operators in Nigeria.