NCC vows to protect telecom infrastructure from vandalism

The Nigerian Communications Commission has vowed to protect telecommunication infrastructure in the country from vandalism, a promise made by NCC Vice Chairman Ernest Ndukwe at a stakeholder’s forum last week.

Addressing an audience comprised of telecommunication service providers, Ndukwe emphasized that operators also hold a great deal of responsibility in the protection of their infrastructure, noting that vandalism sets back development in the sector. “This means that they must take the security of their data and network seriously,” he declared of service providers.

Ndukwe advised operators to establish corporate security plans and look for ways to work together on critical infrastructure protection for the benefit of customers.

“NCC cannot do everything,” Ndukwe said. “It would only regulate and ensure that the system is moving. When you come together to fight the same cause, it will help to solve substantial problems.”

The federal government considers telecommunication infrastructure to be public property of strategic importance; hence, it is criminal to vandalize it, Ndukwe noted. The NCC will seek the support of the police and security agencies in training those who can assist in safeguarding the infrastructure, he said.

“We will revisit the law of willful damage and enforce the law of compensation, so that when you are billed for willful damage, it may not occur again,” he added. Some participants at the forum suggested that the commission direct operators on how best to construct cables in the future to avoid damaging competitors’ cables.

“Operators should submit their drawings to the commission to help identify the defaulter when one damages each other’s cable,” suggested Val Amadi of Etisalat.

Martins Oluwale of Globacom, on the other hand, suggested the NCC collaborate with the Ministry of Works and state and local governments to help ensure that telecommunication infrastructure is not damaged while constructing roads. He further recommended a harmonized policy for cable installation and laws that would make operators live up to their responsibilities. By Remmy Nweke

networkworld.com