The Federal Government has established a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables to curb the persistent damage to fiber networks caused by road construction and rehabilitation projects.
The committee, formed through a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE), was inaugurated on February 18 at the FMoW boardroom by Permanent Secretaries Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi (FMoW) and Engr. Farouk Yusuf (FMoCIDE). The event was also attended by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida.
The committee, comprising representatives from both ministries and the NCC, is tasked with coordinating efforts to prevent damage to fiber optic cables during road projects and reducing service disruptions caused by construction activities and vandalism.
Engr. Adebiyi emphasized that the committee will serve as a liaison between the ministries and the NCC, ensuring that fiber cable protection is integrated into road planning, design, and construction. He also stated that monthly performance reports would be shared, and an instant communication mechanism would be developed for prompt information exchange among stakeholders.
Engr. Yusuf highlighted the critical role of fiber optic cables in Nigeria’s digital economy, noting that they serve as the backbone for broadband connectivity, economic growth, and technological innovation.
Dr. Maida of the NCC underscored the urgency of the initiative, revealing that over 50,000 fiber cuts were recorded nationwide in 2023, with around 30,000 caused by road construction. He referenced the February 2024 nationwide MTN network outage as a major consequence of unchecked fiber damage.
“A key contributor to fiber cuts is the lack of coordination between road construction companies and telecom operators. This committee’s work will help reduce network outages, lower repair costs, and allow operators to invest in network expansion and infrastructure improvement,” Maida stated.
The establishment of the Joint Standing Committee marks a significant step toward protecting Nigeria’s fiber optic infrastructure, ensuring smoother communication between stakeholders, and minimizing disruptions to telecommunication services.