NCC engages Jigawa stakeholders to curb vandalism of telecom infrastructure

By Muhammad Ahmad

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has engaged stakeholders in Jigawa to address the vandalism and destruction of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) in the state.

The engagement, held in Dutse on Wednesday, provided a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on challenges affecting the telecommunications sector and proffer solutions to them.

Speaking at the event, Mr Muhammad Danwawu, Principal Manager, NCC Kano Zonal Office, said the engagement was part of the commission’s initiatives to sensitise, educate and empower stakeholders on the protection of critical telecommunications infrastructure.

Danwawu said the initiative was also aimed at strengthening collaboration among stakeholders to improve the quality and reliability of telecommunications services.

He urged stakeholders, particularly host communities, to take ownership of telecommunications infrastructure and protect it from vandalism and destruction.

“Let us consider what happens when a valuable facility is established in our community.

“When a school is built, a hospital is established or an electricity transformer is installed in our communities, we recognise, value and protect them, although the government or another organisation may own and operate them.

“Now, let us apply the same way of thinking to telecommunications infrastructure.

“When we see a telecommunications mast or base station, it may be easy to say it belongs to the telecommunications company. When we see a fibre-optic cable, we may also say it belongs to the company.

“But who benefits from the infrastructure? The answer is clear: we all do,” he said.

The zonal manager described telecommunications masts and fibre-optic cables as critical components of the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure and urged stakeholders to regard their protection as a collective responsibility.

He also urged traditional rulers and community leaders to help bridge the gap between telecommunications operators and residents, particularly at the grassroots, by promoting understanding and responsible engagement.

“Distinguished traditional rulers and community leaders, your role cannot be overemphasised.

“You understand the communities you lead, the local environment, the people and the dynamics that may not always be immediately visible to external organisations.

“Where communities have concerns about the location, safety or operation of telecommunications facilities, such concerns should be channelled through appropriate authorities for verification and resolution,” Danwawu said.

He advised residents to promptly report suspicious activities around telecommunications infrastructure to the appropriate authorities.

“Our objective should be to replace suspicion with information, confrontation with engagement and destruction with responsible community ownership,” he said.

Also speaking, DCC Lawan Mohammed, representative of the Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said the corps was the lead agency responsible for protecting critical national assets and infrastructure.

Mohammed said the engagement would enable participants to understand the importance of safeguarding telecommunications infrastructure.

He stressed the need for effective coordination among stakeholders in protecting telecommunications infrastructure, particularly fibre-optic cables.

He recalled that damage to fibre-optic cables in 2024 affected millions of Nigerians who relied on the infrastructure to make calls and access communication services.

“Schools, hospitals, banks, companies and POS operators were affected.

“Therefore, these critical telecommunications infrastructures must be protected, as fibre-optic cables are vital to modern life.

“Fibre-optic cables are like capillaries, veins or blood vessels in the human body. Damage to such infrastructure can severely affect the nation’s economy, security and information flow,” he said.

Mohammed said the engagement would enhance coordination among stakeholders in preventing damage to fibre-optic cables, particularly during excavation and construction activities.

He reiterated the corps’ commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure as well as related installations across the state.

On his part, Mr Ahmad Tijjani, Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Jigawa, assured that the agency would continue to sensitise citizens on the need to protect and take ownership of critical national assets and infrastructure.

Participants at the event included representatives of the Dutse Emirate Council, traders, marketers, telecommunications service providers and other stakeholders.

Highlights of the event included a question-and-answer session and presentation of gifts to participants in a quiz competition.