The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has expressed concern about the theft and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
This was revealed at the third edition of Village Square Dialogue, a telecom consumer outreach programme organised for telecom consumers and stakeholders in Ibadan, Oyo State’s capital.
The Commission stated that security agencies alone cannot provide all of the necessary security at all sites of telecommunication infrastructure, highlighting the importance of collaboration with stakeholders and consumers.
Professor Adeolu Akande, Chairman of the NCC Board of Commissioners, emphasised the importance of protecting telecommunication infrastructure, stating that without it, communication with family and friends in distant locations, as well as banking, finance, education, and entertainment, would be difficult.
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He stated that the event was one of the programmes designed to engage stakeholders in the sector, and that the decision to hold the event in Ibadan stemmed from the town’s pride in being the pacesetter state and the most populous town in black Africa.
“Telecom infrastructure is critical, and we must ensure that we treat it as Critical National Infrastructure.” To protect the infrastructure, we need the public’s and consumers’ help. We are doing this across the country in order to gain the support of Nigerians and telecom service providers.
“Problems such as hostile communities, theft of diesel, batteries, and power generators, digging up and cutting fibre optic cables, sealing/locking up of Base Transceiver Station (BTS) sites, and other disruptive activities must be addressed decisively by all of us.” “As a result, I implore you all to regard telecom infrastructure as your own and to protect it as communal property,” the Chairman said.
In his lecture titled “Protection of Telecoms Infrastructure for Improved Quality of Service: The Role of Residents,” Efosa Idehen, Director, Consumers Affairs Bureau, NCC, stated that one of the Bureau’s mandates is to protect, inform, and educate consumers on the need to guide and protect communication infrastructure.
“Let’s all work together to ensure that the infrastructure is protected for better and quality delivery,” he said.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, thanked the NCC for the effective regulation of Nigeria’s communication sectors and the NCC chairman for considering Ibadan worthy of the sensitisation programme.
Chief Ademola Odunade, speaking on behalf of Oyo state’s traditional ruler, Olubadan of Ibadaland, Oba Lekan Balogun, described the event as a welcome development, urging people to work with NCC to secure telecommunication devices.
Community leaders, trade groups, union groups, market groups, security operatives, civil servants, paramilitary groups, religious groups, community development groups, and social groups are among the event’s stakeholders.
Others include telecom service providers, operators, consumer protection groups, rights groups, youth groups, and interest groups, among others.
