The Federal Government has set up a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables to address the frequent damage to fiber networks caused by road construction and rehabilitation projects.
The committee was established through a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. It was inaugurated on February 18 at the Ministry of Works boardroom by Permanent Secretaries Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi and Engr. Farouk Yusuf, with the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, also in attendance.
Made up of representatives from both ministries and the NCC, the committee will coordinate efforts to prevent fiber cable damage during road projects and minimize service disruptions caused by construction activities and vandalism.
Engr. Adebiyi stated that the committee will act as a liaison between the ministries and the NCC to ensure fiber protection is incorporated into road planning, design, and construction. He also noted that monthly performance reports will be provided, and a real-time communication system will be developed for quick information sharing among stakeholders.
Engr. Yusuf highlighted the importance of fiber optic cables in Nigeria’s digital economy, describing them as the foundation of broadband connectivity, economic growth, and technological advancement.
Dr. Maida emphasized the urgency of the initiative, revealing that in 2023 alone, over 50,000 fiber cuts were recorded nationwide, with around 30,000 resulting from road construction. He pointed to the February 2024 MTN network outage as a significant consequence of uncoordinated fiber damage.
He noted that a major cause of these cuts is the lack of coordination between road construction companies and telecom operators. By addressing this issue, the committee aims to reduce network outages, lower repair costs, and create an environment where telecom providers can invest more in expanding and improving infrastructure.
The establishment of the committee marks a crucial step in safeguarding Nigeria’s fiber optic infrastructure, ensuring better collaboration among stakeholders, and reducing disruptions to telecommunication services.
