As the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) prepares for the next phase of the expansion of broadband services, the commission said citizens should see the protection of telecommunications infrastructure as a collective responsibility.
NCC Director Zonal Operations, Amina Shehu, stated this at the sensitisation programme focused on the protection of telecom infrastructure held in Okene, Kogi state.
Shehu, who was represented by a principal manager in the zonal operations department, Oladisun Ekisola, said giving the exponential growth in telecommunications services in Nigeria since the birth of the Global System of Mobile communications two decades ago, and the multiplier effect it has had on all sectors of the economy, NCC found it imperative to call on all stakeholders to cooperate with the commission and security agencies to give adequate protection to telecoms facilities all over the country.
Shehu stated that while other challenges such as multiple regulation, multiple taxation, and concerns about the Right of Way (RoW) for cascading fibres are being addressed, it was necessary to tame those involved in the theft of fibre cables and vandalism of telecom facilities.
NCC head of Technical Standards and Network Integrity (TSNI) Bako Wakil represented by Musa Daibu, a senior manager in TSNI department stated that the commission awaits the passage of the bill on the protection of national critical assets by the National Assembly because the bill classifies telecom infrastructure as critical national assets.
He therefore called on all citizens, communities and traditional leaders to come into a strategic alliance with other stakeholders to ensure adequate protection for telecommunications facilities because of its implication for quality of telecom services as well as for the growth and development of the country.
