Operators Rely on 32,800 Generators to Power ICT Services –

Erratic power supply still clogs telecommunication services even as the companies depend on 32, 800 private generators to power their networks, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has said.

Pantami spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at the virtual commissioning of 11 ICT projects across the country.

“Though we have been able to solve the issue of Right of Way to a large extent, the telecom operators are still bedeviled by power supply issue.

“I hope my brother; the minister of state for power is hearing this. The telecom companies depend on generators for their power. A total of 32, 800 generators are used by them across the country to get their networks on. This comes at huge cost to them too’’, he said.

The minister spoke in reaction to Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola’s advice of improved data service by the ministry and agencies under it.

“The intervention of the President on the right-of-way, vandalism, which we were able to resolve, is to improve the quality of service.

“The major challenges affecting the quality of service in Nigeria, one is with regards to vandalism of infrastructure. Two, with due apologies to our colleague here, the minister of power, is the issue of power, which is beyond our control.”

added, “You may wish to know that today in Nigeria most of our facilities in the sector are being powered by generators and they are supposed to be on the power grid.

“Based on the report I have received; we have over 32,800 generators all over the country powering the facilities while they (facilities) have been denied to be powered by the power grid.”

The communications minister then pleaded with the Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, who was also at the event, to intervene by improving power supply in Nigeria.