The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has argued that the success of the 2023 general elections will depend largely on telecom infrastructure. Thus, all Nigerians in every community should join hands in protecting it for the benefit of the country.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who was a special guest at the 6th Edition of the Annual Conference of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos recently, said with the planned transmission of election data and results riding on telecom infrastructure, there was the need to ensure the fidelity of the transmission systems to enhance the credibility of such data.
“If telecom infrastructure is vandalised or damaged, it would create problems in the area of the data transmission during the election; citizens will find it difficult to use their phones to seamlessly communicate and the journalists too might find it difficult in being able to access their web platforms to disseminate necessary information which members of the public require to make informed decisions at every point in time,” he said.
He noted that over the years, the telecoms sector has continued to face destabilising situations arising from negative attitudes and actions of hostile communities; theft of diesel, batteries, and power generators from telecom base stations; digging up and cutting of fibre optic cables by construction workers; indiscriminate sealing/locking-up of Base Transceiver Station (BTS) sites by state governments, other governmental and community stakeholders; as well as other disruptive activities which must be decisively tackled.
While reiterating the importance of telecommunications in all aspects of human lives, including the forthcoming election and other national activities and programmes, Danbatta said that without telecom infrastructure, it will be difficult to communicate with family and friends over long distances or conduct banking, insurance, or accessing government and other social services, including education, entertainment, and other essentials services that enhance the quality of life.
“This means that telecom infrastructure is important, and we must all ensure that we guard and protect those critical national infrastructural assets now, during the upcoming elections and thereafter. So, every citizen in Nigeria must take responsibility for the protection of telecom facilities for the benefit of all,” Danbatta said.
He enjoined GOCOP members to use their credible media platforms and enviable experiences to collaborate with the NCC in creating greater awareness and public enlightenment on the need to protect telecoms infrastructure.