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A diesel supply dispute between telecom tower managers, IHS, and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) has sparked concerns about a major disruption to telecom services nationwide.
Naija News reports that the crisis, which has also drawn in the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has left telecom operators warning that over 16,000 base stations in Lagos, Kaduna and Delta states could be shut down, potentially cutting off millions of telecom and banking customers.
The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), in a statement by its Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, described the situation as “sabotage” and a threat to national security.
According to ALTON, the diesel blockade could cripple essential services, including hospitals, educational institutions, and financial transactions, all of which rely heavily on telecom connectivity.
The standoff began after IHS accused two NOGASA member companies of misappropriating diesel stock meant for telecom base stations and demanded a thorough investigation.
NOGASA, however, rejected the allegation, insisting that IHS was attempting to divert attention from repeated breaches of contract and a refusal to pay for accurately supplied diesel stock.
Both NOGASA and NUPENG have denied any wrongdoing, accusing the telecom operators of blackmail. They maintained that diesel supplied should be paid for before any further deliveries could be made.
The National Association of Telecom Subscribers of Nigeria (NATCOMs) has urged the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, to escalate the matter to President Bola Tinubu to prevent what it described as an impending “telecommunications blackout.”
Amid the dispute, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed alarming figures on attacks against telecom infrastructure. The regulator revealed that Nigeria now records an average of 1,100 fibre optic cuts weekly, along with 545 site access denials and nearly 100 incidents of theft.
The NCC warned that the combined effect of vandalism and the ongoing diesel blockade could have devastating consequences for the nation’s communications backbone.
He said, “We have received credible reports that members of NUPENG, and NOGASA, on Tuesday, blocked access to diesel loading depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Koko (Delta State), preventing the distribution of diesel to thousands of telecommunications sites operated by one of our key members, IHS Towers.
“This action, reportedly stemming from allegations by IHS of diesel misappropriation against two member companies of NOGASA and which is being investigated by requisite authorities, has resulted in a critical threat to the operation of some of the 16,000 telecommunications sites nationwide, servicing Mobile Network Operators.
“These sites not only power mobile and internet services for millions of Nigerians, but also support essential services such as banking transactions, hospital communications, emergency response systems, and national security operations.
“While ALTON does not necessarily interfere in disputes between its members and third parties, we are gravely concerned about the wider implications of this action on national infrastructure and public safety.
“We recognise and deeply respect the vital role NOGASA and NUPENG have played in sustaining Nigeria’s energy supply chain and supporting national development over the years, and we trust that they will continue to uphold these values by ensuring that their actions do not jeopardise critical national infrastructure or public welfare.
“We, hereby, request that uninterrupted access be granted to the diesel supply locations, and we urge all parties involved to embrace constructive dialogue to resolve the matter, without further disruption to essential services.
“We also remind all stakeholders that telecommunications infrastructure has been officially classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure, CNII, under Nigerian law. Any deliberate disruption or blockade that affects the operation of such infrastructure constitutes a serious threat to national security and economic stability and will attract strict legal consequences.
“We call on the leadership of NUPENG and NOGASA, our highly respected trade unions, to intervene by calling their members to order.
“Disputes must be resolved within the framework of lawful contracts and applicable legal processes, without resorting to actions that endanger the operations of an entire industry and the lives and livelihoods that depend on it.
“We call on relevant authorities, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and other critical stakeholders, to urgently intervene to forestall a looming nationwide communications blackout.”
The post Diesel Dispute Threatens Telecom Services Across Nigeria appeared first on Naija News.
