Nigeria has set up a committee to safeguard fiber optic cables from damage during road construction and maintenance. This initiative aims to curb the frequent disruptions to telecommunications services caused by such incidents across the country.
The Joint Standing Committee which was formed by Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE), was officially inaugurated at the FMoW’s boardroom by Permanent Secretaries Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi (FMoW) and Engr. Farouk Yusuf (FMoCIDE), with the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, also in attendance. The committee comprises representatives from both ministries and the NCC.
The primary role of the committee is to establish effective coordination and communication between the ministries and NCC to prevent fiber optic cable damage during road projects. Engr. Adebiyi emphasized that the committee is expected to develop strategies to minimize disruptions caused by construction activities and vandalism. He outlined that it would act as a central body for managing issues related to fiber optic cable protection before, during, and after road projects. The committee will also conduct regular meetings to address challenges, formulate industry-wide solutions, standardize procedures, and produce monthly performance reports.
Cable placement
Additionally, Adebiyi assured that the ministry would integrate fiber optic cable placement into road network planning and construction, including the provision of ducts. He also stressed the importance of collaboration with Federal Controllers of Works (FCWs) and telecom operators to ensure the protection of fiber infrastructure during project execution.
Engr. Yusuf underscored the vital role fiber optic cables play in Nigeria’s digital economy, serving as the backbone for broadband services that drive connectivity, economic development, and technological progress.
Dr. Aminu Maida highlighted that the committee’s work is crucial in reducing service disruptions in the telecom sector. He noted that in 2023, over 50,000 incidents of fiber optic cuts were recorded nationwide, with approximately 30,000 attributed to road construction activities. These disruptions, he added, have led to major outages, including the February 2024 MTN network failure.
He further pointed out that a key factor contributing to these incidents is the lack of coordination between road construction companies and telecom infrastructure operators. By improving communication and collaboration, the committee aims to significantly reduce fiber cuts, minimize network outages, lower repair costs, and optimize resource allocation for network expansion. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to enhance service reliability and benefit consumers by ensuring a more resilient telecommunications infrastructure.