The Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE) have formed a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables to address the recurring issue of fiber optic cable damage caused by road construction and rehabilitation activities.
These disruptions have severely impacted telecommunications services across Nigeria, leading to widespread service outages and economic losses.
According to a statement released on Monday by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Joint Standing Committee was inaugurated at the FMoW’s Boardroom by the Permanent Secretary of the FMoW, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, and his counterpart at the FMoCIDE, Engr. Farouk Yusuf.
The primary mandate of the Committee is to establish and maintain effective communication and coordination channels between the FMoW, FMoCIDE, and the NCC to prevent and minimize damage to fiber optic cables during road construction and rehabilitation activities.
Additionally, it will create an instant communication mechanism to facilitate prompt information sharing among stakeholders.
Engr. Adebiyi assured that the FMoW would prioritize the placement of fiber optic cables in the planning, design, and construction of road networks.
He noted that fiber networks enable seamless delivery of fixed and mobile broadband services, which are essential for connectivity, economic growth, and technological innovation.
Emphasizing the importance of the Committee’s mandate, the NCC’s EVC/CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida, revealed that in 2023, over 50,000 fiber cut incidents were recorded, with approximately 30,000 attributed to federal and state road construction activities.
“This is a pivotal moment for the telecommunication industry and its customers. Fiber networks are the foundation of Nigeria’s broadband ecosystem, providing the essential high-capacity backhaul required to deliver ultra-fast 4G and 5G speeds, as these next-generation mobile technologies rely on fiber infrastructure to ensure low latency, high reliability, and seamless data transmission,” he said.
Fiber cuts have been a major challenge for telecommunications operators in Nigeria with billions of Naira being spent on repairs annually.