IT NEWS NIGERIA”
As the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) prepares for the next phase of the expansion of broadband services in Nigeria, the Commission says citizens should see the protection of telecommunications infrastructure as a collective responsibility.
Amina Shehu, Director Zonal Operations at the Commission stated this in the morning at Okene, Kogi State where NCC held another edition of Sensitization Programme focused on the protection of telecom infrastructure. Oladisun Ekisola, a Principal Manager in the Zonal Operations Department who represented Shehu said giving the exponential growth in telecommunications services in Nigeria since the birth of the Global System of Mobile communications two decades ago, and the multiplier effect it has had on all sectors of the economy, NCC found it imperative to call on all stakeholders to cooperate with the Commission and security agencies to give adequate protection to telecoms facilities all over the country.
Shehu stated that while other challenges such as multiple regulation, multiple taxation, and concerns about the Right of Way (RoW) for cascading fibres are being addressed, it was necessary to tame those involved in the theft of fibre cables and vandalism of telecom facilities.
Shehu’s voice was amplified by Bako Wakil, Head of Technical Standards and Network Integrity (TSNI) at the Commission, who was represented by Musa Daibu, a Senior Manager in TSNI Department. Wakil noted that the Commission enthusiastically awaits the passage of the bill on the protection of national critical assets by the National Assembly because the bill classifies telecom infrastructure as critical national assets. He therefore called on all citizens, communities and traditional leaders to come into a strategic alliance with other stakeholders to ensure adequate protection for telecommunications facilities because of its implication for quality of telecom services as well as for the growth and development of the country.
The programme was very interactive as participants raised lots of questions and seized the opportunity to discuss their experiences as subscribers to telecom services in the country.
