Telecom
NCC, NSCDC Warn Construction Firms Against Damaging Fibre Optic Cables
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have issued a forceful warning to road construction companies, government contractors and civil engineering firms across the country, declaring that the era of unchecked fibre-optic cable damage during excavation works is over, with perpetrators now facing criminal prosecution.
NCC, NSCDC
The two agencies, in a joint statement, highlighted the alarming surge in avoidable fibre cuts caused by negligence, poor planning or outright disregard for infrastructure protection protocols, stressing that such incidents severely disrupt Nigeria’s digital backbone and will attract the full weight of the law moving forward.
They described fibre optic cables as indispensable national assets that fuel the nation’s burgeoning digital economy, ensuring uninterrupted communication services, powering emergency response systems, linking businesses for commerce and trade, and enabling seamless government operations at all levels.
Any destruction of these cables, whether through careless excavation, lack of coordination with telecom operators or deliberate sabotage, directly endangers national security, undermines economic stability and compromises public safety, the organisations warned, painting a grim picture of the cascading effects of even brief network outages on hospitals, financial institutions and security agencies nationwide.
Under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order 2024, telecommunication fibre infrastructure has been officially classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure, making any damage from unauthorised digging, construction activities or failure to collaborate with relevant authorities a clear-cut criminal offence punishable under existing statutes.
Individuals, private construction companies and even government contractors found culpable will face immediate prosecution and stiff sanctions as stipulated in the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, with the agencies vowing zero tolerance for what they termed economic sabotage disguised as construction mishaps.
“Future damage to fibre optic infrastructure caused by excavation, road construction or any civil engineering activity conducted without due consultation or collaboration with network operators and relevant regulators will attract strict legal consequences,” the NCC and NSCDC declared categorically, underscoring their resolve to safeguard this vital ecosystem through heightened enforcement.
To forestall further incidents, the agencies implored federal, state and local government bodies, road construction firms, utility service providers and private property developers to adopt proactive measures including thorough pre-construction verification of underground fibre routes using approved mapping tools, early collaboration with the NCC, telecom operators and NSCDC both before and during project execution, strict adherence to national guidelines on excavation procedures and right-of-way management, and prompt reporting of any accidental damage to facilitate swift repairs and minimise downtime.
They emphasised that these steps represent the bare minimum for compliance in an era where digital connectivity is non-negotiable for Nigeria’s progress.
Members of the public have also been enlisted in this protection drive, with calls to report suspected sabotage, vandalism or unintended damage to fibre optic installations at the nearest NSCDC office, via email to [email protected] or [email protected], or by dialling the toll-free line 622 for immediate action.
This collaborative approach, the agencies believe, will not only deter would-be offenders but also foster a culture of accountability among all stakeholders handling earth-moving equipment or infrastructure projects in a country racing towards full digital transformation.
Google has launched its Search Live feature globally to over 200 countries, including Nigeria, where AI Mode is available, enabling voice-and-camera conversations in users’ preferred languages.
Powered by the new multilingual Gemini 3.1 Flash Live model, it delivers natural, real-time interactions via the Google app on Android or iOS—tap the Live icon under the Search bar.
Ideal for hands-free help, users can speak queries for audio replies, follow-ups, or web links. Camera integration adds visual context, like troubleshooting a shelving unit, or pairs with Google Lens for real-world chats.
From the app or Lens, Nigerians can now explore, learn, or solve tasks instantly, boosting everyday productivity worldwide.
Clean and reliable power for telecom networks in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone will be expanded following a $45 million investment by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in IPT PowerTech.
The investment targets countries where limited power supply continues to slow digital connectivity and broader economic participation, the institution stated earlier this week.
To enable this expansion, the IFC is providing a $45 million corporate financing package consisting of an A-loan of $27 million and $18 million in blended finance.
The blended portion is sourced from the Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Programme and the IDA20 Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility.
The initiative marks the IFC’s first direct infrastructure engagement in Liberia in a decade and in Sierra Leone in six years.
It will help scale solar- and battery-based power systems that reduce reliance on diesel and support greener, more resilient telecom networks.
By improving the quality and stability of power to telecom towers, the initiative will strengthen mobile coverage and ensure that households, schools, health centres, and small businesses can depend on consistent digital services, said the IFC.
The funding supports the modernisation, operation, and maintenance of 2 235 telecom sites across the three nations. More than 90% of these are located in off-grid or weak-grid locations.
With new solar and battery systems powering these sites, mobile networks will experience fewer outages and improved service quality.
Optimising the energy mix is estimated to reduce power costs for operators by up to 30% in Liberia, 26% in Sierra Leone, and 52% in Ethiopia.
This transition is also expected to cut emissions by more than 10 624 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Furthermore, the partnership will promote gender inclusion by expanding opportunities for women in technical, operational, and leadership roles within the sector, says the IFC.
This agreement reflects a shared vision for a greener telecom industry and empowers the company to scale its innovative energy platforms, according to Nabil Haddad, CEO of IPT PowerTech Group.
Reliable and affordable power for telecom networks is a cornerstone of Africa’s digital transformation, said Nathalie Kouassi-Akon, IFC regional director for West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
Through this partnership, the institution is supporting a scalable, private sector-led solution that enables mobile operators to reach underserved and fragile communities more sustainably, added Kouassi-Akon.
The project advances the World Bank Group and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, which aims to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Expedier has unveiled “Expedier for Business,” an online pro-banking platform to simplify global payments, multi-currency transactions, and financial operations for expanding companies.
Kingsley Madu
The tool centralizes payments, invoicing, payroll, and treasury into one secure dashboard, tackling challenges like fragmented systems and poor visibility that hinder international scaling.
Kingsley Madu, Co-Founder and CEO of Expedier, said: “African businesses are increasingly global… Expedier for Business was built to simplify how companies manage money across borders while maintaining visibility, control, and compliance.”
Key features include customizable dashboards for payments, invoices, and workflows; support for USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, and more; virtual cards; automated payroll/invoicing; currency swaps; and real-time tracking.
Security measures cover two-factor authentication, KYC/KYB verification, and team access controls.
As cross-border trade and remote work boom in Africa, the platform aids firms dealing with international suppliers, teams, and customers. It is now available for organizations scaling globally.
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