By Juliet Umeh<\/p>\n
The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have warned against fibre-optic cable damage during road construction and other civil works across the country.<\/p>\n
In a statement by the two agencies, they said rising incidents of avoidable fibre cuts caused by negligence would no longer be excused, warning that offenders risk prosecution as the act constitutes a criminal offence.<\/p>\n
NCC and NSCDC stressed that fibre optic cables are critical national assets that power Nigeria\u2019s digital economy, enable seamless communication, support emergency services, connect businesses, and facilitate government operations. They said their destruction, whether through negligence, lack of coordination, or wilful actions, poses a direct threat to national security, economic stability, and public safety.<\/p>\n
The statement reads: \u201cUnder the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure, CNII, Order 2024, telecommunication fibre infrastructure is classified as Critical \u201cNational Information Infrastructure. Consequently, any damage resulting from unauthorized digging, construction activities, or failure to collaborate with relevant authorities to prevent damage during construction constitutes a criminal offence.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cConstruction companies, or government contractors who damage fibre optic infrastructure would be made to face prosecution and applicable sanctions as provided under existing laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.<\/p>\n
\u201cFuture damage to fibre optic infrastructure caused by excavation, road construction, or any civil engineering activity conducted without due consultation or collaboration with network operators and relevant regulators will attract strict legal consequences,\u201d the statement reads.<\/p>\n
They called on federal, state and local government agencies; road construction companies; utility service providers; and private developers to ensure full compliance by conducting pre\u2011construction verification of fibre routes; collaborating with the NCC, telecom operators and NSCDC before and during construction; adhering to approved guidelines for excavation and right\u2011of\u2011way management; and reporting any accidental damage immediately to enable rapid response and mitigation.<\/p>\n
The public is encouraged to report any act of fibre-optic infrastructure sabotage or damage to the nearest NSCDC Office.
\nThe post NCC, NSCDC threaten prosecution over fibre optic cable vandalism appeared first on Vanguard News.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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