RoW: Telecom Operators Use Gutters, Trees in Lagos

Investigation has revealed that telecommunications service providers in Lagos State are installing fiber optic cables through gutters and on trees as right of way (RoW), contributing to flooding and other economic losses to the State.

During the investigation, it was discovered that key areas such as, Saka Tinubu St., Kofo Aboyimi St., Saka Tinubu/Akin Adesola St. junction., Ozumba Obamdiwe St., (junction)., Ajose Adeogun St., all on the Victoria Island, Lagos, were the worst hit by the indiscriminate installation of telecoms cables. 

It could be recalled that LASMIRA had on February 26, 2016 consulted Critical Infrastructure Services Limited, to conduct the Utility Network Audit which covers the underground utilities network within the geographical boundaries of Lagos State (“affected persons”) and ensure that all utilities providers are in compliance with statutory provisions with regards to all underground communication infrastructures”.

Confirming the report, Mrs. Gloria Ogunbiyi, head of Compliance at Critical Infrastructure Services Ltd, said that in the process of preparing the “As Built Database” of all underground facilities in Lagos, the Company found that several Telecoms Service Providers have had a free ride in Lagos and could have even avoided the payment of right of way to LASIMRA by installing their cables in gutters and drains.

Quality of Service
She advised telecoms service providers to ensure they provide quality services to customers by disconnecting those Cables in gutters, drains and on Trees, paying LASIMRA for right of way, installing their Cables according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standards and utilizing duct space provided by Lagos State in several parts of the State to ensure that residents enjoy quality telecom services.

Mrs. Ogunbiyi said, “This is critical because it has been discovered that the poor quality of service experienced by Telecoms Customers is due to Telecoms Network Cables that are installed in these gutters and on trees.

“These installations no doubt do not comply with the global standards set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Nigeria has experienced tremendous growth in the numbers of Telecom subscribers, but this has not been matched by the provision of adequate internationally accepted Networks to match this growth. There are constant dropped calls and slow internet service with key network Cables in gutters, drains and on trees.

According to Mrs. Ogunbiyi, the trend in the sector, if not contained, will have negative impact on the internally generated revenue by the State Government, needed to provide health Care, education, good roads and other dividends of democracy to Residents of the State.

She said, “While conducting the Utility Network Audit in several major streets and roads in Lagos on behalf of LASIMRA, Critical Infrastructure Services Ltd personnel saw key cables on trees and in several gutters and drains illegally installed by telecommunications operators.

“It is amazing that at our stage of development, Telecommunications Service Providers will install Cables on trees and gutters. These are short cuts, probably, to avoid the payment of right of way to Lagos State and no doubt are responsible for poor quality of service.

“We should also see from the point of view that this practice by Telecom Service Providers not only reduces internally generated revenues due to the State but also leads to blocked gutters and drains caused by debris trapped by Cables in these gutters and drains. These Cables in gutters, block the drains and contribute to flooding in Lagos. The State Government has made efforts to provide Cable ducts in all new Roads and these Operators have chosen to install their cables illegally on Trees and in gutters. The economic impact of flooding is enormous to Residents of Lagos State.

“The Cables which were discovered on Trees and in gutters should not be there. These Telecommunications Service Providers have a responsibility to their Customers and the Residents of Lagos State to obtain right of way from LASIMRA, remove their Cables on Trees and in gutters and install them properly.

The CEO added that telecoms service providers as good corporate citizens of Lagos State must support the State by paying for the requisite right of way rather than avoiding the payment of right of way by installing their Cables illegally.

She further explained that LASIMRA focused on delivering its mandate to residents of Lagos State and ensuring that State regulations are adhered to by all Operators, issued more than enough public notices before the exercises commenced.

Mrs. Ogunbiyi said that the final report will soon be submitted to LASMIRA to commence action on how to address the menace, and ensure the operators do not overuse the right of way issued them by the Lagos State Government.

She also confirmed that telecos with requisite right of way have nothing to fear as law abiding corporate citizens of the State.

“Yes, those who are complaint with the law have nothing to fear. In fact, the audit report will even prove them right because they have done the right thing. I think what the Lagos State Government is trying to do is to provide cover for those with right of way to enjoy the investment they have made, while defaulters should retrace their steps by following the required processes,” Mrs. Ogunbiyi reported. 

When contacted, Mr. Olusola Teniola, president of the Association of Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ATCON), told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek said that several reasons could lead to telcos using gutters as right of ways to lay their cables.

Teniola said, “The issue that cables are laid in gutters are been placed there due to several reasons. One of those reasons is the lack of available proper ducting infrastructure in place and other reason being the right of Way issues and a culture of not sharing duct.

The ATCON President expressed confidence in the leadership of Mr. Babajide Odekunle, general manager, Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance &Regulatory Agency, to help the industry address the problem.

He said, “LASIMRA is going to address the issue of sharing using the proposed Unified Duct System (UDS) to avoid these issues from reoccurring.