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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has said telecoms infrastructure is very critical to successful 2023 elections, hence the need for every Nigerian in every community to join hands in protecting them for the benefit of the country.
This was contained in a statement issued by NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, on Tuesday.
Danbatta, who was the special guest at the 6th Edition of the Annual Conference of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos over the weekend, said with the planned transmission of election data and results riding on telecoms infrastructure, there was need to ensure the fidelity of the transmission systems to enhance the credibility of such data.
“If telecoms infrastructure is vandalised or damaged, it would create problem in the area of data transmission during election; citizens will find it difficult to use their phones to seamlessly communicate and journalists too might find it difficult in being able to access their web platforms to disseminate necessary information which members of the public require to make informed decisions at every point in time,” he said.
He recalled that, over the years, the telecoms sector has continued to face destabilising situations arising from negative attitudes and actions of hostile communities; theft of diesel, batteries, and power generators from telecoms base stations; digging up and cutting of fibre optic cables by construction workers; indiscriminate sealing/locking-up of Base Transceiver Station (BTS) sites by state governments, other governmental and community stakeholders; as well as other disruptive activities which must be decisively tackled.
Danbatta reiterated the importance of telecommunications in all aspects of human lives, including the forthcoming election and other national activities and programmes.
He said that without telecoms infrastructure, it will be difficult to communicate with family and friends over long distances or conducting banking, insurance, or accessing government and other social services, including education, entertainment, and other essential services that enhance quality of life.
“This means that telecoms infrastructure is important, and we must all ensure that we guard and protect those critical national infrastructural assets now, during the upcoming elections and thereafter. So, every citizen in Nigeria must take responsibility for the protection of telecoms facilities for the benefits to all,” Danbatta said.
He commended GOCOP members for their contributions in the promotion of awareness of derivable benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) through their online platforms.
“The NCC would like to commend the leadership and entire members of GOCOP for the good work you are doing in your professional practice of disseminating timely and accurate information to Nigerians to enable citizens to take inform decisions,” he said.
Danbatta further enjoined GOCOP members to use their credible media platforms and enviable experiences to collaborate with the NCC in creating greater awareness and public enlightenment on the need to protect telecoms infrastructure.
Those at the event, which was chaired by the Founder, Centre for Alternative Policy Perspectives and Strategy (CAPPS), Dr. Umar Ardo; include the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase; Regional Director, Ford Foundation, Dr. Chidi Aniagolu-Okoye; and distinguished members of GOCOP, most of who are senior media professionals.