Worried by the rising incidents of damages to critical telecommunications industry assets during road construction and other civil engineering works, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have charged construction firms, contractors, and property developers to protect the infrastructure, particularly the fibre-optic cables, to ensure uninterrupted delivery of telecoms services nationwide.
Describing fibre-optic infrastructure as the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting telecommunications, emergency response systems, government operations, and business connectivity, the two agencies maintained that any damage to such infrastructure posed serious risks to national security, economic stability, and public safety.
They cited the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order 2024, which classifies telecommunication fibre networks as Critical National Information Infrastructure, to justify their stance on the need for companies and contractors involved in road construction and related projects to ensure adequate protection of the infrastructure at all levels of their operations.
The NCC and the security agency warned that any damage associated with unauthorised excavation, poor coordination, or failure to engage relevant authorities before construction by the construction companies and contractors would constitute a criminal offence and punishable under the Order and other extant laws.
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Specifically, they stressed that individuals, construction companies, and government contractors found culpable would be prosecuted under applicable laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, and subjected to appropriate penalties.
The NCC and the NSCDC further clarified that all future fibre cuts resulting from road construction, excavation, or related civil works carried out without due consultation with the mobile network operators (MNOs) and relevant regulatory agencies woul attract severe legal consequences.
While appealing to federal, state, and local government authorities, construction companies, utility providers, and private developers to adopt strict compliance measures, including pre-construction verification of fibre routes, collaboration with the NCC, the MNOs, and the NSCDC, adherence to approved right-of-way and excavation guidelines, the two agencies also urged them on immediate reporting of any accidental damage to enable rapid response and mitigation.
They also asked members of the public to remain vigilant and report any act of fibre-optic infrastructure damage or sabotage to the nearest NSCDC office, via email protect@ncc.gov.ng or cipu@nscdc.gov.ng, or by calling the 622 toll-free line.
