Nigeria’s Federal Ministries of Works and Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy have established a joint committee to tackle the frequent damage to fibre optic cables during road construction and rehabilitation. The disruptions caused by these damages have significantly impacted telecommunications services across the country.
The Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables was inaugurated on Tuesday by senior officials from both ministries, along with the head of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The committee comprises staff from the two ministries and the NCC.
Its primary task is to establish clear communication and coordination channels between the ministries and the NCC to prevent damage to telecommunications fibre optic cables during roadworks.
A key focus will be developing procedures to reduce damage caused by construction, maintenance, and vandalism. The committee will act as a coordinating body for all issues related to fibre optic cable protection, meeting regularly to discuss problems, agree on solutions, set standards, and share performance reports. It will also establish a rapid communication system for all stakeholders.
The Ministry of Works official said that fibre cable placement will now be considered during the planning, design, and construction of road networks, including the provision of ducts during construction. The committee will work with regional works controllers to protect this infrastructure during project planning and implementation, coordinating with telecom operators on current and future projects.
The official from the Communications Ministry emphasized the importance of fibre optic cables to Nigeria’s digital economy, noting they are the backbone of fixed and mobile broadband services. He stressed that the committee’s work is vital for ensuring uninterrupted telecommunications services.
The NCC head highlighted the significant impact of fibre cuts on the telecommunications industry, noting over 50,000 incidents last year, with around 30,000 attributed to road construction. He cited a lack of communication between construction companies and fibre infrastructure operators as a key factor. He expressed optimism that the committee’s work will significantly reduce these incidents, leading to fewer network outages, reduced repair costs and less need for redundant routes. He emphasized that this initiative benefits all Nigerians, as service disruptions impact consumers directly, and preventing them allows operators to invest in network expansion and improvement.
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