Over 50,000 telecoms infrastructure vandalism reported in 5 years, says NCC

*Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission highlights how the impact of telecoms infrastructure damage is felt by all in the quality of services, including increased drop calls, Internet connectivity disruptions, undelivered SMS, and countless failed calls to consumers

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that over 50,000 cases of major destruction to telecoms infrastructure and facilities have been reported across the country in the past five years.

This development has raised alarm over the implication of these incidents on the quality of telecommunications services in Nigeria.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NCC, said this at the 2022 Edition of Youth Civil Society and Stakeholders Summit (YCSSS), which took place in the week at the Army Resource Centre, Abuja, FCT.

ConsumerConnect reports Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, in a statement issued Friday, September 2, 2022, said Prof. Danbatta expressed worry over how the incidents have continued to affect the Quality of Experience, (QoE) of telecoms consumers, and called for concerted efforts by the members of the public, and security agencies, to stem the tide.

Danbatta, represented at the summit by Mrs. Nnena Ukoha, Head of Corporate Communication Unit of the Commission, also stressed the negative impacts of incessant vandalism of telecoms equipment, evidenced in fibre cuts, theft of telecoms facilities, such as generators at sites, destruction of base stations, among other vices, have become a major burden on the service providers.

He equally noted the telecoms consumers have continued to suffer unwarranted disruptions in their hard-earned services.

The NCC Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO stated: “The impact of vandalism of infrastructure is felt by all in the quality of services rendered, as it results in increasing drop calls, data and Internet connectivity disruptions, aborted and undelivered short messaging services (SMS), as well as countless failed calls.”

According to him, considering the well-known fact that the ability to connect and communicate is fundamental to human existence, improvement in business processes, government services, education, as well as social and family networking through seamless connections, every community should get involved in protecting the critical infrastructure that make these services possible, said Danbatta.

The NCC Chief added: “Therefore, as a community, you are expected to report cases of vandalism of telecoms infrastructure to the nearest law enforcement agencies such as the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and also share adequate information received from NCC with your family, friends, and neighbours.

“We believe, with your cooperation as critical stakeholders in the telecoms sector, we can all work with the law enforcement authorities in protecting telecom infrastructure in your community.”