Madam Minister and Critical Infrastructure

A major spin off of the recent roundtable on the protection of ICT infrastructure from vandalism is a call for action and work on the mind shift of Nigerians.

The roundtable organized by Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (Alton) and Communication Week Media Limited, publishers of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek also showed detached attitude of government to sensitive issues. 

This is because while an issue that bothers on national security was being discussed, the ministry of Communications Technology was busy chasing shadows.

And just as the forum got underway, series of bombings in some states in Northern Nigeria reduced many base stations to rubbles.

The roundtable was a private sector initiative in the face of government and its agencies apparent lack of insight on how to tackle the growing threats to the survival of the country.

What greater love for a nation and indeed our industry?

It is the real problem with Nigeria where some people arrogate to themselves the status of demigods but in their ignorance forget they have some but not all powers of a god.

This does not distract from our stand that declaring ICT infrastructure as a Critical National Infrastructure that is protected by law is only the first level of protection.

We believe in moral persuasion and general awareness of the importance of these infrastructures not only to the ICT firms but to Nigerians and indeed to the nation.

Vandalism is caused by people who think it is funny to damage other peoples’ properties. Sometimes, it is by ignorance and sometimes sinister.

Either ways, vandalism is clear and present danger.

Agreed that issues of multiple taxation, right of way, power and host of other issues besetting the industry are germane, none occupy top priority like attacks on the infrastructure.

For what it is worth, it is when you have a network that you can talk about tariff; worry about power; pay government taxes; and even employ people.

Networks and ICT infrastructure are at the heart of the matter. 

They are the Central Nervous Systems.

A mobile phone is useless without a base station.

We must avoid treating this like the cleanup of the Niger Delta where government is waiting for oil companies and oil companies are asking the government to clean up the environment.

We decided to own this initiative, drive it and get buy-ins.

The ministry of Communications Technology necessarily does not have to like the idea; it needs to key into it because it is in the interest of the nation.

The ministry must also be the best advert for the product it is selling.

ICT industry on the other hand, must not see public enlightenment to draw attention to the clear and present dangers of attacks on ICT facilities as doing anyone a favour.

It is important to point out that attacks on ICT infrastructure will continue to grow and may even grow out of proportion unless there are deliberate and concerted efforts to stem the tide.

When restive Nigerians are tired at hitting at government buildings, officials and facilities, they will turn to corporate institutions. It is already happening.

If base stations continue to go down due to attacks, the country as a whole may even collapse because almost all the structures of governments, businesses and economy are dependent on network infrastructure.