Federal Ministries Establish Joint Committee to Tackle Telecoms Fiber Cuts and Vandalism
New Initiative Aims to Protect Critical Digital Infrastructure
The Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE) have taken a significant step to address Nigeria’s persistent fiber optic cable damage issues by forming a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables. This collaborative effort comes in response to frequent service disruptions caused by road construction and rehabilitation activities across the country.
Committee Inauguration and Key Objectives
The committee was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, February 18th at the FMoW headquarters, with Permanent Secretaries Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi (FMoW) and Engr. Farouk Yusuf (FMoCIDE) presiding. The event was attended by Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The committee’s primary mandate includes:
- Establishing clear communication channels between ministries and the NCC
- Preventing damage to telecom infrastructure during road projects
- Developing standard engagement processes for all stakeholders
- Creating instant communication mechanisms for rapid response
Addressing a Critical National Issue
Engr. Adebiyi emphasized the committee’s role in coordinating fiber protection efforts throughout all phases of road projects. “We will ensure fiber cable placement is considered in road network planning, including provision for ducts during construction,” he stated.
The committee will work closely with Federal Controllers of Works and telecom operators to protect this critical infrastructure during both current and future projects nationwide.
The Economic Impact of Fiber Protection
Engr. Yusuf highlighted the economic significance of fiber networks, describing them as “the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy” that enable essential broadband services for national connectivity and technological innovation.
Dr. Maida revealed alarming statistics: “Last year, we experienced over 50,000 fiber cuts nationwide, with about 30,000 attributed to federal and state road construction activities.” He cited the February 2024 nationwide MTN outage as a particularly severe example of these disruptions.
Looking Toward a More Connected Future
The NCC CEO expressed optimism about the committee’s potential impact: “Preventing avoidable disruptions will allow operators to redirect resources toward network expansion rather than costly repairs and redundant routes.”
This initiative represents a crucial step in safeguarding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, with benefits extending beyond the telecom sector to all Nigerian consumers who rely on stable connectivity for daily life and economic activities.
Credit: Nigerian Tribune – Original Article