The Federal
Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications,
Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE) have established a Joint Standing
Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables. This initiative aims to
safeguard Nigeria’s critical telecommunications infrastructure, which has faced
severe disruptions due to frequent cuts and damages, impacting service delivery
across the country.
The Joint
Standing Committee which was officially inaugurated at the FMoW’s Boardroom in
Abuja witnessed in attendance key stakeholders, including the Permanent
Secretary of the FMoW, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, his counterpart at the FMoCIDE,
Engr. Farouk Yusuf, and the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of
the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida. The committee
comprises senior officials from both ministries and the NCC, reflecting a
unified approach to tackling the issue.
The primary
mandate of the committee is to establish and maintain clear communication and
coordination channels between the FMoW, FMoCIDE, and the NCC. This
collaboration is critical to preventing and minimizing damage to fiber optic
cables during road construction and rehabilitation activities, which have
become a major cause of service disruptions in Nigeria’s telecommunications
sector.
Fiber optic
cables are the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy, enabling high-speed
internet, voice communication, and data services. However, these critical
infrastructures are often damaged during road construction projects, leading to
widespread service outages and significant financial losses for telecom
operators. Vandalism has also exacerbated the problem, further undermining the
reliability of telecommunications services.
In his remarks,
Engr. Adebiyi stressed the urgency of addressing this issue. He directed the
committee to develop modalities to reduce damage to fiber optic cables caused
by road construction, maintenance activities, and vandalism. He also
highlighted the need for proactive measures, such as considering the placement
of fiber cables during the planning, design, and construction of road networks.
This includes providing ducts for fiber cables during road construction to
prevent accidental damage.
The Joint
Standing Committee will serve as a central coordinating body for all matters
related to the protection of fiber optic cables.
Engr. Adebiyi
expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to deliver tangible results. “This
committee will play a pivotal role in ensuring that our critical
telecommunications infrastructure is protected, enabling uninterrupted service
delivery and supporting the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy,” he said.
Dr. Aminu Maida
of the NCC also noted the importance of the initiative, stating that protecting
fiber optic cables is essential for maintaining the quality of
telecommunications services and driving innovation in the sector. “The NCC
is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s digital
infrastructure remains robust and reliable,” he stated.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
