Danbatta stresses importance of telecoms infrastructure in successful 2023 Elections

*Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, urges Nigerians in every community to join hands in protecting the critical telecoms infrastructure for the benefit of all consumers

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said telecoms infrastructure is very critical to successful 2023 elections

The telecoms sector regulatory Commission urged every Nigerian in every community to join hands in protecting the critical infrastructure for the benefit of the West African country.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, stated this as Special Guest at the 6th Edition of the Annual Conference of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) at the weekend in Lagos.

Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, stated the conference, which focused on the forthcoming General Elections, also had in attendance Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Prof. Danbatta said with the planned transmission of election data and results riding on telecoms infrastructure, there was need to ensure the fidelity of the transmission systems to enhance the credibility of such data.

The NCC EVC/CEO said: “If telecoms infrastructure is vandalised or damaged, it would create problem in the area of the data transmission during elections.

“Citizens will find it difficult to use their phones to seamlessly communicate, and the journalists too, might find it difficult in being able to access their Web platforms to disseminate necessary information, which members of the public require to make informed decisions at every point in time.”

Danbatta also recalled that, over the years, the telecoms sector has continued to face destabilising situations arising from negative attitudes and actions of hostile communities; theft of diesel, batteries, and power generators from telecom base stations; digging up and cutting of fibre optic cables by construction workers; indiscriminate sealing/locking-up of Base Transceiver Station (BTS) sites by state governments, other governmental and community stakeholders; as well as other disruptive activities which must be decisively tackled.

Importance of telecoms in consumers’ lives

While reiterating the importance of telecommunications in all aspects of human lives, including the forthcoming election and other national activities and programmes, Danbatta said that without telecom infrastructure, it will be difficult to communicate with family and friends over long distances or conducting banking, insurance, or accessing government and other social services, including education, entertainment, and other essentials services that enhance quality of life.

He further stated: “This means that telecoms infrastructure is important, and we must all ensure that we guard and protect those critical national infrastructural assets now, during the upcoming elections and thereafter. “So, every citizen in Nigeria must take responsibility for the protection of telecom facilities for the benefits to all.”

The event was chaired by Dr. Umar Ardo, Founder, Centre for Alternative Policy Perspectives and Strategy (CAPPS), and other personalities, including former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase; Regional Director Ford Foundation, Dr. Chidi Aniagolu-Okoye, and distinguished members of GOCOP, most of who are senior media professionals.

Danbatta, therefore, enjoined GOCOP members to use their credible media platforms and enviable experiences to collaborate with the NCC in creating greater awareness and public enlightenment on the need to protect telecoms infrastructure.

The EVC/CEO applauded GOCOP members for their contributions in the promotion of awareness of derivable benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) through their online platforms.

“The NCC would like to commend the leadership and entire members of GOCOP for the good work you are doing in your professional practice of disseminating timely and accurate information to Nigerians to enable citizens to take inform decisions,” said he.