Over 40 Telecom Structures Destroyed Daily, NCC Decries Vandalism

…Laments Impact on Industry

The Nigerian Telecommunications Regulator has revealed that the commission receives over 40 vandalisation reports on telecom structures across the federation daily.

Lamenting the impact of vandalism on the nation’s telecommunications industry, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC),  Prof. Garba Umar Danbatta said the scourge is having negative impacts on Nigeria’s economy and called on Nigerians to ensure adequate protection of telecommunications infrastructure spread across the 36 states of the federation.

He said vandalisation of telecom structures reduced the quality of service as well as coverage area leading to dead spots on the network which result in poor quality of service, adding that it also discouraged investors from investing in Nigeria should their infrastructures be continuously vandalized or stolen.

He made the call during the Telecom Consumer Village Square Dialogue held at the School of Basic Midwifery, Dambatta, Kano State.

The industry regulatory agency boss, who was represented at the event by Mr Bako Wakili, underscored the need for the public to allow installation of equipment and maintenance/repairs on sites by Technical Staff of Service providers for quality Telecoms service delivery.

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“There is the need for the public to guard against destruction of Telecoms infrastructure, through prompt notification of service providers on any ongoing road construction activities by companies or government agencies to avoid service disruption or interference in service,” he said.

Danbatta added that “vandalization of telecom infrastructure discourages investors from investing in Nigeria should their infrastructures be continuously vandalized or stolen.”

“It will be good for the people to report cases of infrastructure vandalism to the nearest Law Enforcement Agents like the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

“Share adequate information to your family, friends, neighbours and in accordance with the information and materials provided by the NCC. Let’s work with Law Enforcement Authorities on the protection of Telecom Infrastructure in your community,” he said.

According to him, “protection of Telecom Infrastructure is a collective responsibility. protecting the infrastructure means we are protecting every service offered on the network—-(your money, jobs, children’s future and your community.

“Let us work together to protect our telecoms infrastructure for better Quality of Service (QoS) and improved Quality of Experience.

“It is important that we all protect telecommunication infrastructure in our community because is a Critical National Asset that supports a lot of essential services, and ensures a better quality of service delivery and seamless customer experience.”