Community leaders have been urged to help halt the attacks on telecom facilities in their areas.
Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Umaru Danbatta, who made the appeal at the NCC’s day at the Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, said that part of the challenges facing the telecom industry in the country was incessant attacks on their facilities by youths.
Represented by the Commission’s Deputy Director, Consumers Affairs, Dr Yemi Ayetubi, Danbatta said, some youths lock out base stations, steal generating sets installed by service providers for their operations and also steal diesel meant for power plants.
Noting that the vices were disrupting smooth operations of service providers, he pleaded with community leaders to sensitise their people against the acts.
“Another critical role, which the commission is requesting partnership with the public, is in protecting telecom infrastructure. Vandalization of telecom facilities, including lock out of base stations, stealing of generators, diesels from base stations and some of these vices, affect the quality of service that can be provided in a given location.
“Some communities, or councils, and sometimes, individuals or families, bar service providers for maintaining their sites, or expanding services to other locations. We wish to make it known to the public that the type of services available in this part of the world are unique but can only be possible when base stations are interlinked with one another.”
