NCC raises alarm as road projects damage 5,000 fibre links in six months

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has expressed concern following over 5,000 fibre-optic cable cuts caused by road construction, excavation, and other civil engineering activities in Nigeria during the first half of 2026. The issue primarily stems from inadequate coordination among construction firms, government bodies, and telecommunications providers before excavation work starts.

NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, highlighted the need for a shift from reactive measures to preventive strategies through effective planning and information sharing during a recent stakeholder workshop in Abuja. He pointed out that both roads and fibre networks are vital for national development, warning that damage to fibre infrastructure could jeopardize the nation's digital economy.

The disruption caused by a fibre cut in February 2024 had left millions unable to make calls, send messages, or access the internet for several hours, illustrating the broader repercussions of damaging a single network. The Federal Government has established the Standing Committee on the Protection of Fibre Optic Cables to address the issue by promoting effective coordination mechanisms before, during, and after road construction and other civil projects.

The NCC emphasizes that every fibre cut averted is more than an engineering success; it represents a maintained connection, processed payment, persisted lesson, and accessible public service. Telecommunications operators are urged to share precise information about cable routes, contractors must confirm infrastructure locations prior to excavation, and government agencies should facilitate timely information sharing.