NCC, ONSA avert telecom shutdown, safeguard critical infrastructure

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) have successfully brokered peace in a labour dispute that threatened to shut down the country’s telecommunications services.

The NCC made this known in a statement signed by its Head of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, on Wednesday in Lagos.

The commission said that the intervention averted a potential nationwide disruption of critical communications infrastructure.

NCC said the intervention followed a planned strike by the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) which, if carried out, would have halted diesel supply to telecom sites nationwide.

The commission said such disruption would have crippled operators’ ability to power their diesel-driven generators, jeopardising network availability, economic activities and national security.

According to the statement, the ONSA, under the leadership of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, held strategic engagements with NOGASA’s leadership on the potential risks of service disruptions.

The commission said the engagements resulted in the suspension of the industrial action, preventing what could have been a nationwide communication blackout.

Quoting the NSA, the statement read: “Telecommunications infrastructure is the backbone of our connectivity and digital economy.

“Any disruption, whether through vandalism, accidental damage during construction work, theft of equipment or denial of access to maintenance teams, has far-reaching implications for service delivery, economic stability and national security.

Commenting on the development, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, said the commission would continue to enforce strict compliance by licensees to technical standards for deploying and maintaining telecommunications infrastructure.

Maida said that the NCC would also continue to work closely with stakeholders to raise awareness and strengthen cooperation on protecting such facilities.

“We recognise mediation as an effective tool for building consensus among stakeholders. This resolution underscores the importance of dialogue in preventing avoidable service disruptions.

“Ultimately, we call on all Nigerians to regard telecom infrastructure as a shared national asset, one that underpins our ability to connect with loved ones, transact businesses, access healthcare, pursue education and participate in the global digital economy,” he said.

Maida commended the ONSA for its leadership and applauded the understanding shown by stakeholders in recognising the national importance of protecting telecom facilities.