Need to Protect ICT Infrastructure

The ICT Infrastructure is the Central Nervous System of communications and must be listed as national infrastructure protected by law in order to safeguard investments and ensure quality service to subscribers.

Unless there are inbuilt protection mechanism, the ICT sector, arguably the only thriving industry of nation’s economy hobbled by years of mismanagement and neglect face uncertain times.

This is because any minor errors (technical faults, accidents, vandalisation, data recording errors, etc.) can alter, disrupt or block the system processes unintentionally.

These disruptions not only disconnect subscribers, but could cause embarrassment to businesses and national security.

Already, the industry is being weighed down by poor quality of service (QoS); multiple taxes; and the notoriously unreliable public power supply.

All these are threatening to dwarf the achievements of the industry in last ten years.

For the government, the industry and indeed subscribers, attention must shift to the protection of ICT equipment which is helping to fire the kiln of production, generating revenue to the government and offering employment to millions of Nigerians.

ICT infrastructure must be seen and treated as a national resource which must be protected just like railway and electricity infrastructures are protected by law.

Today, the wanton damages to telecom fibres along the expressways and roads in the country and the rising spate of vandalizing ICT equipment is a source of concern to all.

Various parties including so-called area boys; those working on roads do extensive damage to telecom infrastructure daily.

These fibre cuts affect the network and it takes a while to discover where the damage happened.

The vexed issue of right of way and multiple approvals from almost tiers of governments before ICT equipment are sited is also delaying infrastructure rollout and by extension quality of service.

Nigeria must not treat ICT infrastructure with contempt. Government must take the lead by demonstrating strong political will.

The industry on the other hand must also explore ways to nationally secure telecommunication infrastructure for the benefit of all stakeholders.

It is important to put numbers to the persistent damage to ICT infrastructure for planning and advocacy sakes since reliable statistics are hard to come by.

At every turn, stakeholders must elevate discussions and build excitement about ICT infrastructure protection.

Importantly, the ICT industry should make input and support the bill to protect the country’s telecom infrastructure.

The bill would make it mandatory to punish anyone convicted of tampering with telecom equipment.