By Ahmad Muhammad
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has engaged stakeholders in Jigawa to curb vandalisation and destruction of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) in the state.
The exercise is designed to provide a platform for the stakeholders to deliberate and proffer durable solutions to challenges bedevilling the telecommunications sector in the state and Nigeria at large.
Speaking during the engagement in Dutse on Wednesday, Mr Muhammad Danwawu, the NCC’s Kano Zonal Office Principal Manager, said the engagement is part of the commission’s initiatives aimed at providing platform for sensitisation, education and empowerment on the protection of critical telecommunications infrastructure.
He explained that the initiative is expected to strengthen stakeholder collaboration contribute to improved service quality and reliability.
He further urged the stakeholders, particularly host communities to take ownership of telecommunications infrastructure by protection them against vandalism and destruction.
“Let’s consider what happens when a valuable is established in our community. When a school is built, a hospital is established or electricity transformer is installed in our communites, we recognize, value and protect them although government or another organization may own and operate them.
“Now let’s 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 say: it belongs to the company, but who benefit from the infrastructure, the answer is clear: we all do,” he said.
The zonal manager, who discribed mast and fibre-optic cable as critical component of telecommunication infrastructure, urged the stakeholders to see the protection of such as his/her duty.
Danwawu also urged traditional rulers and community leaders in the state to help bridge the gap between telecommunications operatiors and residents, particularly at the grassroots but promoting understanding and responsible engagement.
“Distinguished traditional rulers and community leaders your cannot be overemphasized. You understand the communities you lead, you understand the local environment, the people and the dynamics that may not always be immediately visible to external organizations.
“Where communities have concern about location, safety or operation of telecommunications facilities, those concerns should be channeled through appropriate authorities for verification and resolution,” Danwawu said.
He also advised residents to promptly report suspicious activities around such infrastructure, saying that: Our objective should to replace suspicion with information, confrontation with engagement and destruction with responsible community ownership.
Also speaking, DCC Lawan Mohammed, the representative of Jigawa Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, noted that the corps is the leading agency in protection of Critical National Assets Infrastructure (CNAI).
Mohammed pointed out that the engagement will enable the participants to learn and understand importance of safeguarding such infrastructure.
He added that protect of telecommunications infrastructure, particularly fibre-optic cables, requires effective coordination among stakeholders, recalling that in 2024, fibre-optic cables damage affected millions of Nigerians who rely on them to make calls and access communication services.
“Schools, hospitals, banks, companies and POS operators were affected. Therefore, these critical telecom infrastructure must be protected as fibre-optic cable is vital in modern life.
“This fibre-optic cable is like a capillary, vien or blood vessels in our body, hence the need to protect it. And this damage to such infrastructure can severely affect the nation’s economy, security and information flow.
“Therefore, today’s engagement will enhance coordination in preventing damage to fibre-optic cable, particularly during excavation and construction,” he said.
Mohammed further reitrated the Corps’ commitment to protecting critical national assets infrastructure and related installations across the state.
On his part, the Director, National Orientation Agency in the state, Mr Ahmad Tijjani, assured that the agency would continue to sensitize citizens to the need to own and project all national critical assets infrastructure.
Those who attended the event imcluded representatives of Dutse Emirate Council, traders, marketers, telecommunication service providers, among other stakeholders.
Highlights of the event were question and answer session, with presention of gifts to those who participated in quiz competition.
