NCC condemns labourers’ cut of telcos services due to arrears of wages
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has expressed shock over the damages on telecommunications infrastructure, including fibre optic cables, belonging to MTN, Airtel and other telecoms operators in parts of the North East by aggrieved labourers who were allegedly denied wages after working for some unidentified persons, who had engaged them to do the jobs.
As a result of this development, some cities in the North East, including Maiduguri in Borno State and Damaturu in Yobe State have been cut off from telecommunications services.
Prof. Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of the NCC, expressed the worries of the Commission over the development while speaking at a Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Implementation of the National Broadband Policy 2020-2025 in Abuja.
Danbatta said the information available to the Commission indicated that the fibre infrastructure was initially damaged on Friday, but were cut again on Monday, adding that the development disrupted mobile telecommunications services in the North East.
The NCC boss, who spoke in response to concerns raised by representatives of MTN and Airtel, said: “We are aware of the cut of fibre infrastructures in the North East last Friday.
“We took up the matter immediately, but reports reaching me right now indicate that some labourers are responsible.
“And that they have cut it again as of today (Monday).”
The NCC expressed optimism that the Borno State Government and Office of the National Security Adviser would intervene to address the problem.
