In a bid to curb the persistent damage to fiber optic cables during road construction and rehabilitation projects, the Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE) have inaugurated a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables.
The initiative, launched on Tuesday, February 18, at the FMoW headquarters, aims to mitigate the disruptions to telecommunications services caused by fiber cuts. The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary of FMoW, and Engr. Farouk Yusuf, his counterpart at FMoCIDE, in the presence of Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The committee comprises key representatives from both ministries and the NCC.
Mandate of the Joint Standing Committee
The committee’s primary responsibility is to establish coordination channels between the ministries and the NCC to prevent damages to fiber optic infrastructure. Engr. Adebiyi emphasized that its role would include:
- Creating clear communication frameworks between road construction firms and telecommunications operators.
- Developing preventive measures to safeguard fiber optic cables from damage due to construction and vandalism.
- Ensuring fiber cable protection is integrated into road network planning and design.
- Collaborating with Federal Controllers of Works (FCWs) to safeguard fiber infrastructure in ongoing and future projects.
“The committee will serve as a coordinating body for all matters related to fiber optic cable protection, before, during, and after road construction projects. It will also meet regularly to address challenges, establish industry-wide solutions, and set engagement procedures,” Adebiyi stated.
He further assured that moving forward, fiber optic placement would be a priority in road infrastructure planning, with provisions made for cable ducts during construction.
Protecting the Backbone of Nigeria’s Digital Economy
Speaking at the event, Engr. Farouk Yusuf highlighted the critical role fiber optic cables play in Nigeria’s digital economy, stressing that they are the backbone of broadband infrastructure that supports economic growth and technological innovation.
“The committee’s work is vital to ensuring seamless telecommunication services, as frequent fiber cuts disrupt connectivity and impact businesses and consumers alike,” Yusuf said.
Addressing the Impact of Fiber Cuts on Telecom Services
The NCC’s Dr. Aminu Maida underscored the urgency of the initiative, revealing that Nigeria recorded over 50,000 fiber cut incidents in the past year, with around 30,000 cases linked to federal and state road construction activities. He cited the February 2024 nationwide MTN network outage as a direct consequence of these disruptions.
“A major challenge has been the lack of coordination between road construction companies and telecom operators. This committee has the potential to drastically reduce service disruptions by ensuring proper communication and preventive measures are in place,” Maida stated.
He noted that reducing fiber cuts would not only minimize network outages but also prevent excessive repair costs and unnecessary infrastructure redundancies.
“This initiative is not just for the telecommunications industry—it benefits all Nigerians. When fiber cuts occur, consumers face service disruptions, and operators incur additional costs. Preventing these incidents allows telecom providers to focus on network expansion and quality improvement,” Maida added.
The committee is expected to develop instant communication mechanisms for real-time information sharing between stakeholders, ensuring quick responses to any issues that may arise.
With this initiative, the Federal Government aims to enhance the resilience of Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, reinforcing its commitment to a digitally connected and economically vibrant nation.
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