The Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of   Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE) have established  a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables to address the persistent issue of fiber optic cuts and damages caused by road construction and rehabilitation activities. These disruptions have had a significant negative impact on

telecommunications services across Nigeria.

The Joint Standing Committee on Protection of Fiber Optic Cables was inaugurated

Tuesday 18th February at the Boardroom of the FMoW, by the Permanent

Secretary, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, and his counterpart at the FMoCIDE, Engr

Farouk Yusuf, with the attendance of the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive

Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida.

The Committee is comprised of key staff from the two ministries and the NCC.

The main assignment of the joint Standing Committee is to establish and maintain

clear communication/co-ordination channels between the two ministries and the

NCC in order to limit and prevent damage to Telecommunications Fiber Optic

cables during road constructions or rehabilitation activities.

Engr. Adebiyi, while inaugurating the Committee, directed it to establish modalities

to ensure the reduction of damage to deployed fiber optic cables resulting from road

construction and maintenance activities, as well as vandalism which has caused

severe incidences of service disruption across the country.

He said the Committee will serve as a coordinating body for all issues pertaining to

the protection of fiber optic cables, before, during and after the completion of road

constructions or maintenance activities, and will meet on a regular basis to discuss

identified problems, agree on industry-wide solutions, set standard engagement

processes and procedures, as well as share monthly pealsorformance reports.

“They are  expected to develop an instant communication mechanism to