The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), partners with its supporting allies to curb sabotage and destruction of fibre optic cables in the state
Jude Nzennaya, Port Harcourt
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command, has taken a bold step towards mitigating the negligent and unwarranted destruction and excavation of underground telecommunications infrastructure and assets, especially, fiber-optic cables.
In a stakeholders awareness meeting convened by the Command, following directive from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to the Commandant-General, the State Commandant, Joachin Okafor fcai, warned contractors and construction companies engaged in Road construction, rehabilitation and expansion, to carry out due diligence, consultation and verification, before embarking on excavation and digging, in order to mitigate wilful damage and arbitrary tampering of underground telecommunications infrastructure, especially, fiber-optic cables, which provides a wide range of telecommunications services across strategic sectors of the nation’s economy and may potentially impede National Security.
The State Commandant, warned, that henceforth, arbitrary tampering and damage to underground Telecom facilities, especially fiber-optic cables, will be treated as an act of Sabotage and Vandalism, punishable under relevant sections of the law.
Stakeholders from the telecom sector, recounted their losses and ordeals, during road construction, noting that, the situation is avoidable, if proper consultation and due diligence is carried out.
However, the stakeholders unanimously agreed to adopt certain far-reaching measures including, possible discreet mapping out of underground Telecom routes, joint verification of telecom facilities before any major road construction, as well as the prompt notification of the Service providers, through NCC amongst others.
The meeting drew participants across, the telecom service providers, construction firms, Regulatory agencies, government MDA’S. COREN Rivers State chapter and other relevant stakeholders were also in attendance.
