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….. Says 50,000 fiber cuts in a year
By Joy Baba-Yesufu, Abuja
The federal government has established a Joint Standing Committee to address the recurring damage to fiber optic cables caused by road construction, a move aimed at improving telecommunications infrastructure and connectivity across the country.
The Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE) inaugurated the committee on Tuesday at the Works Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
The initiative follows growing concerns over frequent disruptions to broadband services, which are vital to Nigeria’s digital economy.
The committee includes officials from both ministries and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
It will focus on improving coordination between road construction agencies and telecommunications operators to prevent damage to fiber optic cables.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary of the Works Ministry, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, emphasized the urgency of the committee’s work.
He noted that road projects must incorporate fiber optic cable protection measures from the planning stage.
“We must ensure that communication between stakeholders is swift and efficient,” he said.
“Fiber optic infrastructure must be safeguarded during all phases of road construction and rehabilitation.”
His counterpart at FMoCIDE, Engr. Farouk Yusuf, highlighted the economic importance of fiber optic networks, describing them as the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy.
He stressed that protecting these cables would enhance nationwide broadband access and technological growth.
Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, revealed that over 50,000 incidents of fiber cuts were recorded last year, with around 30,000 linked to road construction.
“Every fiber cut affects millions of consumers and slows the industry’s progress,” Dr. Maida said.
“This committee will help reduce service disruptions, ensuring resources are directed towards network expansion rather than costly repairs.”
The committee will hold regular meetings to assess challenges, propose solutions, and issue monthly performance reports. It will also explore ways to curb vandalism, another major cause of network outages.
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