The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and major telecommunications companies have agreed to strengthen collaboration to protect power transmission and fibre optic infrastructure from vandalism and other forms of damage.
The agreement was reached on Tuesday, at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting convened by the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
In a statement on Thursday the TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said the meeting brought together representatives of power, telecommunications and construction sectors to address incidents of vandalism, accidental damage and illegal excavation affecting critical infrastructure across the state.
In recent years, vandalism of power and telecoms infrastructure has remained a major challenge in Nigeria, leading to service disruptions and huge economic losses.
Speaking at the meeting, the TCN Principal Manager, Telecommunications, Onya Chukwuma, highlighted the strategic importance of the company’s transmission infrastructure in Benin, noting that the area serves as a major electricity transmission hub connecting several parts of the country.
He explained that TCN’s transmission towers support infrastructure for both electricity transmission and fibre optic telecommunications.
He added that vandalism of transmission towers could disrupt electricity transmission and telecommunications services, while also posing risks to lives and property.
Mr Chukwuma commended the NSCDC for its continued support in safeguarding TCN’s infrastructure and called for sustained collaboration among security agencies, telecommunications operators, construction companies and other stakeholders to enhance the protection of critical national assets.
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In his address, the Edo State NSCDC Commandant, Akintayo Ayinla, reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure.
He expressed concern over fibre optic cable cuts resulting from excavation activities and disclosed that 25 suspects had been arrested in connection with related offences.
Agreement
At the end of the meeting, Ms Mbah said stakeholders agreed to establish a WhatsApp platform to enhance information sharing and prompt response to incidents affecting critical infrastructure.
Participants, according to the statement, include representatives of TCN, MTN, Airtel, Globacom (Glo), T2 Mobile, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), construction companies, the Fibre Optic Cable Maintenance Engineers Association, as well as representatives of relevant federal and Edo State government agencies.
