Emmanuel OchayiTelecommunication companies have raised concerns over potential disruptions to connectivity as construction progresses on the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
This development comes on the heels of Multichoice’s announcement of a three-day technical downtime due to the ongoing project.
The coastal highway, a critical landing point for multiple submarine cables connecting Nigeria to Europe, serves as a lifeline for international communications and data transmission. Telcos, including major players like ALTON, have emphasized the importance of stakeholder consultations to address risks associated with the project.
ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, highlighted the absence of engagement from the Ministry of Works regarding environmental impact assessments. He stressed caution to prevent damage to vital infrastructure, citing the significant economic consequences of disruption.
“The Ministry of Works has not approached us, and I’m unsure if environmental impact assessments have been conducted. The route is crucial for the landing of numerous submarine cables, so caution is essential.
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“Some members have reached out to them, urging caution. As the chairman of the industry, I can affirm that ALTON members were not consulted regarding the assessment of the undersea cable within that right of way,” he explained.
The recent subsea cable cut in March, which disrupted connectivity in West Africa, underscores the vulnerability of digital infrastructure. Repair costs for affected companies could reach up to $8 million per cable, adding to the economic strain on the sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of West Indian Ocean Cable Company stated, “It is not a few $100,000. It is several millions of dollars, maybe $1m to $2m per cable, depending on how long it takes the ship to find the cable and repair it.
“Maybe slightly more than that. And those costs are borne by the cable owners themselves. It is a cost that we will factor into our businesses because these things do happen.
“I can’t say exact figures because it depends on the nature of the cuts and how long it takes to repair them, but when you look at the four systems together, it is several $1m.”
While the construction work has not yet reached areas where undersea cables are located, concerns persist due to the critical role of the coastal corridor in international traffic. ALTON and ATCON have called for the protection of assets and urged the designation of telecommunications infrastructure as critical national infrastructure.
The telecom sector, already grappling with economic challenges and reduced investment, faces further uncertainty amid infrastructure disruptions. ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo emphasized the need for sustained investment to maintain service quality and affordability.
In response to customer dissatisfaction over the technical downtime, Multichoice assured subscribers of efforts to minimize disruptions and restore services promptly. However, some customers voiced concerns over compensation for the offline period, reflecting ongoing frustrations over price hikes and service interruptions.
Customers of DStv and GOtv have voiced their discontent and called for compensation from Multichoice, the pay-TV operator, following a scheduled three-day “technical downtime” from May 5th to 7th, 2024.
The pay-TV operator, Multichoice, stated on Friday on X (formerly Twitter) that the Lagos-Calabar highway construction project would force them to relocate from their office location between May 5 and May 7, 2024, assuring customers that disruptions would be minimized during the relocation.
It stated, “Our uplink facility will be impacted by the ongoing Lagos-Calabar coastal road construction project. As a result, we are forced to relocate. From Sunday, May 5, 2024, to Thursday, May 7, 2024, our technical team will be working tirelessly to relocate and minimize disruptions during the exercise.”
Adeoye Oluwafemi stated, “I hope the three days offline will be added back to our subscription. There should be no cheating this time around.’
Stemeldamak said, ‘I hope you people will deduct the money for this technical downtime from the payment already made.
Victor inquired, “How will you people compensate for the loss during this period of interruption? This is because you’ve never left one day for a subscriber after the subscription elapses.’
As construction on the Lagos-Calabar highway progresses, stakeholders must collaborate to mitigate risks and ensure the uninterrupted flow of telecommunications services vital for national development.
The challenges posed by infrastructure projects underscore the need for proactive measures to safeguard critical assets and maintain connectivity in an increasingly digital world.
