Ministries Unite to Protect Fiber Cables from Road Damage
By Patience Ikpeme
In a bid to curb the persistent disruptions to telecommunications services caused by fiber optic cable damage during road construction and rehabilitation, the Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE) have established a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables.
The committee, comprising key staff from both ministries and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), was inaugurated on Tuesday, February 18th, with the mandate to establish and maintain clear communication and coordination channels. This initiative aims to minimize and prevent damage to telecommunications fiber optic cables during road construction and rehabilitation activities.
Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary of the FMoW, inaugurated the committee and directed it to develop modalities for reducing damage to deployed fiber optic cables resulting from road construction, maintenance, and vandalism. He emphasized that the committee will serve as a coordinating body for all issues related to fiber optic cable protection before, during, and after road projects.
“They are also expected to develop an instant communication mechanism to facilitate prompt communication and dissemination of information amongst all stakeholders,” Engr. Adebiyi stated. He assured that the FMoW will consider fiber cable placement in the planning, design, and construction of road networks, including providing ducts during construction. The committee will work closely with Federal Controllers of Works (FCW) and align with telecom operators on all projects.
Engr. Farouk Yusuf, Permanent Secretary of the FMoCIDE, highlighted the critical role of fiber optic cables in Nigeria’s digital economy, stating that they are the backbone of both fixed and mobile broadband services. He stressed that the committee’s work is vital to ensuring that telecommunication services are not hampered by construction activities.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, emphasized the committee’s potential to significantly reduce service disruptions. He noted that fiber networks are essential for delivering high-capacity backhaul required for 4G and 5G technologies. “This is a pivotal moment for the telecommunication industry and its customers,” Dr. Maida said.
He revealed that in 2023, there were over 50,000 fiber cut incidents across Nigeria, with approximately 30,000 attributed to federal and state road construction. These incidents have led to major network outages, such as the nationwide MTN network outage in February 2024.
“A key contributor to the increasing number of fiber cuts attributed to road construction activities is the lack of an efficient handshake mechanism between road construction companies and operators of the fiber infrastructure,” Dr. Maida explained.
He expressed optimism that the committee’s work will reduce fiber cuts, network outages, and unnecessary repair costs. “This initiative is not just for the benefit of the telecommunications industry but for all Nigerians,” he stated, adding that preventing avoidable disruptions will allow operators to redirect resources towards network expansion and infrastructure improvement.
