Gov. Nwifuru, speaks on vandalization of critical Nat’l Assets, infrastructure in Ebonyi 

…..vows to partner NSCDC to protect telecom service providers 

By, Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki

Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru has expressed great concern over the increasing cases of vandalization of critical National Assets and infrastructure by uninformed contractors and vandals in the state.

He vowed to partner the Nigeria security and civil Defence corps, NSCDC Ebonyi State command to protect and guide all critical National Assets and infrastructure, aimed at bringing greater development to the state.

Nwifuru made this known while addressing stakeholders and Telecom owners during the strategic stakeholders engagement workshop held at the NSCDC headquarters, Abakaliki capital of Ebonyi State.

The governor, represented by the state commissioner for internal security, Uka Udeh frowned at the activities of vandals in the state, saying that the state government’s partnership with NSCDC will forestall the menace of attacks and vandalization of Fibre optic infrastructures in the state.

He charged the telecom owners to always report cases of vandals to NSCDC both at the state capital and local government levels.

“It is the sole right of the NSCDC to protect the critical National infrastructures. They are the ones to arrest and prosecute anyone that is vandalizing these Assets.

“They are protecting the interest of those investing in Ebonyi state. Telecommunication is a major factor that increases our productivity. Without communication you can’t do anything. 

“We will partner NSCDC and provide them with all the necessary inputs on security level” he stressed.

The state commandant of the NSCDC, Francis Nnadi decried the rampant destruction of febre optic infrastructures by vandals and uninformed contractors, which according to him, would affect communication system in the state.

He emphasized that any moment the febre optic infrastructures are affected, there will be no Internet connection, banking transactions, telephone services, security communication and many other services that people depend on every day.

Fibre optic Cables form the backbone of Nigeria’s telecommunication Eco-system. NSCDC observed that the damage of these cables, disrupt communication services, affect businesses and causes serious inconvenience to the public” he said.

Nnadi noted further that the engagement is aimed at strengthening corporation between government agencies, construction companies, and telecommunication service providers.

“We can protect these important facilities for the benefit of our people and the development of our state” he emphasized.Earlier in a remark, the head of department, critical National Assets and infrastructure, CNAI, of the NSCDC, Ebonyi State command, Odimba Paul emphasized that fibre optic facilities form a critical backbone of the Nigeria’s communication network.

He noted that the corps has continued to observe with concern the increasing cases of damage to these facilities, particularly during road construction and other excavation activities in the state.

Odimba, however declared the preparedness of NSCDC Ebonyi State command to protect critical National Assets and infrastructure in the state.

“This engagement has been convened to strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders and to develop effective measures that will prevent the disruption and damage of Fibre optic installation in Ebonyi state” he stressed.

The representatives of the telecom service providers; Asogwa Nnaemeka, T2 Mobile and Chris Okonkwo, IHS, who spoke at the venue, said the challenges faced by the telecom providers can be tackled with the efforts of the state government.

They however, lamented high demand of funds by youths in the various communities that their investments are sited. 

The duo, further urged communities to see reasons to assist in the protection of these telecom cables, instead of vandalizing it.