Lack Of Access To Telecom Facilities By Property Owners, Communities Affect Maintenance Efforts- NCC Boss
The Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has identified the denial of access to telecom facilities by property owners, communities, and various levels of government as a critical challenge facing the sector.
Maida stated this at the Opening Session of the Critical National Information infrastructure (CNII) protection and Resilience Workshop Series for policy makers and sector regulators, organised by the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC), office of the National Security Adviser. (28th October, 2024).
The NCC Boss explained that the denial of access profoundly affects network expansion and maintenance efforts, adding that it further hindered the ability to meet the high demand for connectivity and services.
Maida disclosed that in 2023 alone, the Commission recorded over 20,000 cases of site access denial, with each case representing a barrier to connecting more Nigerians and facilitating a robust digital economy.
“Beyond vandalism and theft, another critical challenge is the denial of access to telecom facilities by property owners, communities, and various levels of government.
“This issue profoundly affects network expansion and maintenance efforts, hindering our ability to meet the high demand for connectivity and services.
“In 2023 alone, we recorded over 20,000 cases of site access denial, with each case representing a barrier to connecting more Nigerians and facilitating a robust digital economy”, he added.
“The telecom industry faces significant challenges, including frequent fibre cuts, vandalism, and theft, which cost operators billions of naira in revenue and repair expenses.
“Additionally, restricted access to telecom facilities by property owners and government entities hampers network expansion efforts, limiting connectivity and impacting service quality”, said Maida.
Source: NCC Facebook page
