NOGASA resumes fuel supply to telecom firms after NCC intervention

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The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) has temporarily lifted its suspension of diesel supplies to telecom tower operator IHS and other telecommunications companies, following high-level interventions from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Announcing the decision at a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, NOGASA National President Bennett Okorie said members had agreed to resume supplies immediately for a period of seven days, pending the resolution of debt disputes running into billions of naira.

“In the interest of energy security and Nigerians, we have resolved to resume our services immediately at the affected depots,” Okorie stated.

“Interventions from ONSA and NCC have assured us that the issue will be resolved amicably from Monday. However, if the debts remain unpaid within the given period, we will withdraw services without further notice.”

The suspension, which took effect earlier in the week, had threatened nationwide mobile network disruptions, as thousands of telecom base stations rely on diesel to power operations — especially in areas with unreliable electricity supply.

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) had on Thursday warned that over 16,000 telecom base stations could be forced offline due to the blockade of diesel loading depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Delta states.

According to ALTON Chairman Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, the supply halt was triggered by an unresolved dispute involving allegations of diesel misappropriation against two NOGASA member companies, which is currently under investigation.

“These sites not only power mobile and internet services for millions of Nigerians but also support essential services such as banking transactions, hospital communications, emergency response systems, and national security operations,” Adebayo cautioned.

He called on ONSA, NCC, and other key agencies to step in urgently to avert a nationwide communications blackout.