The Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE) have established a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables to tackle the recurring issue of fiber optic cable damage caused by road construction and rehabilitation activities. These disruptions have significantly impacted telecommunications services across Nigeria.
The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday, February 18th, at the FMoW Boardroom by the Permanent Secretary of FMoW, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, and his counterpart from FMoCIDE, Engr. Farouk Yusuf, with the presence of Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The committee consists of key representatives from both ministries and the NCC.
The committee’s main objective is to establish effective communication and coordination channels between the ministries and the NCC to minimize and prevent damage to telecommunications fiber optic cables during road construction or rehabilitation activities.
In his address, Engr. Adebiyi tasked the committee with developing strategies to reduce the damage to fiber optic cables resulting from roadworks and vandalism, which have caused widespread service disruptions across the country. He emphasized that the committee will coordinate all activities related to the protection of fiber optic cables before, during, and after road projects. The committee will hold regular meetings to identify problems, propose industry-wide solutions, set engagement standards, and share monthly performance reports.
“They will also be responsible for developing an immediate communication mechanism to ensure prompt information sharing among all stakeholders,” he said. Engr. Adebiyi assured that the ministry would ensure fiber cable placement is considered during road network planning, design, and construction, with provisions for ducts during construction.
Furthermore, Engr. Adebiyi stated that the committee would collaborate closely with Federal Controllers of Works (FCW) to prioritize the protection of fiber optic infrastructure during the planning and implementation of road projects, in alignment with telecom operators.
Engr. Farouk Yusuf, in his remarks, highlighted the importance of fiber optic cables to Nigeria’s economy. He noted that fiber networks form the backbone of the nation’s digital economy, facilitating broadband services that are critical for connectivity, economic development, and technological progress. He stressed that the committee’s efforts are vital to ensuring construction activities do not disrupt telecommunication services.
Dr. Aminu Maida, the EVC/CEO of NCC, emphasized the critical role the committee will play in reducing service interruptions in Nigeria’s telecom industry. He pointed out that fiber networks are essential to Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure, enabling ultra-fast 4G and 5G services that rely on fiber for low latency, reliability, and seamless data transmission.
Dr. Maida shared a troubling statistic, revealing that more than 50,000 fiber cuts were reported nationwide last year, with around 30,000 attributed to road construction activities. Some of these incidents led to significant network outages, such as the nationwide MTN outage in February 2024. He identified the lack of a robust coordination mechanism between road construction companies and fiber infrastructure operators as a key factor contributing to the increasing number of fiber cuts.
“I am confident that this committee’s work will lead to a substantial reduction in fiber cuts caused by road construction, thus minimizing network outages, cutting repair costs, and reducing the need for redundant routes as backup during service disruptions,” Dr. Maida stated.
He further emphasized that this initiative would benefit not only the telecommunications sector but also the general public. Every time a fiber cut occurs, consumers face service interruptions, while operators incur high costs to implement redundancy measures. Preventing such disruptions would allow telecom companies to allocate more resources towards expanding networks and improving infrastructure.
The newly established Joint Standing Committee is poised to play a pivotal role in safeguarding Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring a more reliable and efficient network for all Nigerians.
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