FG moves to prevent telecom cable damage in road construction

The Federal Government has set up a Joint Standing Committee to prevent damage to telecom Fibre-Optic Cables during road construction, ensuring better protection of critical telecommunications infrastructure.

The initiative, driven by the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, aims to strengthen collaboration between Government Agencies and telecom operators to protect critical communication networks from disruptions.

This was contained in a statement issued by Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on Monday in Abuja.

He said the Committee would address the persistent issue of fiber optic cuts and damages caused by road construction and rehabilitation activities.

The statement noted that noted that frequent fibre-optic cuts had significantly impacted telecom services across Nigeria, affecting network quality and internet connectivity.

The Committee was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, February 18, at the Boardroom of the Federal Ministry of Works by Olufunso Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary, and Farouk Yusuf, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.

The event was attended by Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), alongside key officials from both Ministries and the Regulatory body.

The primary mandate of the committee is to establish and maintain effective communication and coordination channels between the two ministries and the NCC.

This will help mitigate and prevent damage to fibre-optic cables during road construction and rehabilitation projects.

Adebiyi, while inaugurating the Committee, directed it to establish modalities to ensure the reduction of damage to deployed fibre-optic cables, resulting from road construction and maintenance activities, as well as vandalism which had caused severe incidences of service disruption across the country.

He said the Committee would serve as a coordinating body for all issues pertaining to the protection of fibre-optic cables, before, during and after the completion of road constructions or maintenance activities.

He added that the Group would meet on a regular basis to discuss identified problems, agree on industry-wide solutions, set standard engagement processes and procedures, as well as share monthly performance reports.

They are also expected to develop an instant communication mechanism to facilitate prompt communication and dissemination of information amongst all stakeholders,” he said.

He assured all that going forward, the Ministry would ensure that the placement of fibre cables would be considered in the planning, design and construction of the country’s road networks, and would include providing for ducts during construction.

Adebiyi further stated that the Committee would work closely with all Federal Controllers of Works to give attention to the task of protecting this sensitive infrastructure during the planning and implementation stages of projects across the roads in the country, while aligning with the telecom operators on all ongoing and future projects.

Yusuf, in his remarks, highlighted the significance of fibre optics cables to the country’s economy, stating that fibre networks are the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy, enabling the seamless delivery of both fixed and mobile broadband services essential for nationwide connectivity, economic growth, and technological innovation.

He noted that the Committee’s work is crucial to ensuring that telecommunication services are not hampered by the work of construction companies.

Maida emphasised the significance of the Committee’s mandate, noting that it has the potential to significantly reduce service disruptions across Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

“This is a pivotal moment for the telecommunication industry and its customers. Fibre networks are the foundation of Nigeria’s broadband ecosystem, providing the essential high-capacity backhaul required to deliver ultra-fast 4G and 5G speeds, as these next-generation mobile technologies rely on fibre infrastructure to ensure low latency, high reliability, and seamless data transmission.

“A major factor behind the rising number of fibre cuts linked to road construction is the lack of effective coordination between construction companies and fibre infrastructure operators. I am confident that this committee’s efforts will significantly reduce fibre cuts caused by roadworks, thereby minimizing network outages, cutting down on unnecessary repair costs, and reducing the need for redundant routes as backups during disruptions.

“This initiative goes beyond the telecom industry it benefits all Nigerians. Each fibre cut leads to service disruptions for consumers, forcing operators to invest in expensive redundancy measures.

“By preventing these avoidable disruptions, telecom companies can focus resources on expanding networks and improving infrastructure,” Maida said.